Mental Health Needs & Supports for People Living with ALS and their Caregivers

Dr. Melinda S. Kavanaugh

Dr. Kavanaugh is a Professor of Social Work at the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Neurology. Dr. Kavanaugh’s clinical experience informed her focus on clinical care and caregiving research. Her U.S. and international research is funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), Administration on Community Living (ACL), Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the ALS Association. Dr. Kavanaugh’s research focuses on caregiver well-being, mental health, and support interventions, including YCare, a multidisciplinary youth caregiving skills and support protocol for young carers in ALS, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and Autism. Dr. Kavanaugh is also the president of Global Neuro YCare, an international non-profit, focused on developing programs and supports for children, youth and families in neurological disorders in underserved areas.