Joan Beasley

Joan Beasley is a Research Professor and Director of the National Research Consortium on Mental Health in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MH-IDD) at the Institute on Disability, College of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire. She is also a visiting scholar at Brandeis University and collaborates with Georgetown University. Her work focuses on advancing mental health services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through research, policy, and cross-system collaboration.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Admin/Plan/Soc Pol, Heller School, Brandeis University
• M.Ed., Northeastern University
• B.A., City University of New York

Dr. Beasley's research interests center on mental health services, emotional well-being, crisis decision-making, and social welfare policy for individuals with IDD. She developed the cross-systems framework underlying the START model, a nationally recognized crisis prevention and intervention program implemented since 1988. Her recent work emphasizes inclusive research methodologies, service accessibility, and measuring effective outcomes in mental health care for people with IDD. She is actively engaged in national studies and policy mentorship across the U.S. and internationally.

Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on telemental health access, psychotropic medication use across age groups, development of person-centered outcome measures, and strengths-based psychological approaches. These works span disciplines including mental health services, developmental disabilities, geriatric psychiatry, and positive psychology, with a consistent emphasis on equity, inclusion, and evidence-informed practice.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Beasley serves as Principal Investigator on multiple national studies focused on inclusive research, mental health service effectiveness, and well-being promotion for individuals with IDD. She mentors students, researchers, and policy leaders, contributing significantly to capacity-building in the field. Her leadership in the START model and the National Research Consortium underscores her role in shaping best practices and policy across service systems. She is affiliated with interdisciplinary teams at UNH, Brandeis, and Georgetown, working to bridge research, clinical practice, and public policy.