Jill Harkavy-Friedman

Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D., serves as Senior Vice President of Research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) since 2011 while maintaining her academic position as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute since 1989. Her 40-year career bridges clinical practice, research leadership, and national advocacy in mental health.

Her educational background includes:

• B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania
• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida
• Internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital

Her research focuses on suicide prevention, depression, and adolescent mental health, establishing pioneering clinical programs like Montefiore's Adolescent Depression and Suicide initiative. At AFSP, she directs research funding and training to advance evidence-based suicide prevention strategies nationwide.

Her major recognition includes:

• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

With over 130 publications, she has significantly shaped clinical training and public awareness in suicide prevention. Her work emphasizes translating research into advocacy, having trained clinicians across the U.S. while leading AFSP's national research agenda since 2011.

Her career demonstrates sustained leadership in building institutional programs—from founding clinical initiatives at Montefiore to directing AFSP's research ecosystem—prioritizing practical applications of suicide prevention science.