Faculty

David A Brent, MD

Endowed Chair in Suicide Studies and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical and Translational Science, Epidemiology, and Pediatrics

Contact Details

3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh
 
PA
 
15213
Phone 412-246-5596
Email
Website
Star Center
IMPACT
Assistant
Alycia Ford
fordal3@upmc.edu

Education & Training

MD
Jefferson Medical College
MSHyg
Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC
Cognitive Therapy, University of Pennsylvania Cognitive Therapy Institute
Psychiatric Epidemiology, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic of UPMC

Selected Honors & Awards

Morselli Medal, International Academy of Suicide Research
Ruane Prize, National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders
Top 10 Advancements and Breakthroughs in 2016, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Research Interests

Treatment of adolescent depression; Adolescent suicide prevention; Prediction of suicidal risk
Selected Research Publications & Products
  1. Auerbach RP, Bloom PA, Pagliaccio D, Lan R, Galfalvy H, Bitran A, Durham K, Crowley R, Joyce K, Blanchard A, Chernick LS, Dayan PS, Greenblatt J, Kahn LE, Porta G, Tse TC, Cohn JF, Morency LP, Brent DA, Allen NB. Using Smartphone GPS Data to Detect the Risk of Adolescent Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Jan 2;8(1):e2456429. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.56429. PMID: 39869336; PMCID: PMC11773992.
  2. Goldstein TR, Kennard BD, Porta G, Miller AO, Aguilar K, Bigley K, Vaughn-Coaxum RA, McMakin DL, Douaihy A, Iyengar S, Biernesser CL, Zelazny J, Brent DA. Bridging Gaps in Care Following Hospitalization for Suicidal Adolescents: As Safe As Possible (ASAP) and BRITE App. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 May;64(5):612-624. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2024.06.008. Epub 2024 Jul 18. PMID: 39032815.
  3. Hamilton JL, Tsypes A, Zelazny J, Sewall CJR, Rode N, Merranko J, Brent DA, Goldstein TR, Franzen PL. Sleep influences daily suicidal ideation through affective reactivity to interpersonal events among high-risk adolescents and young adults. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2023 Jan;64(1):27-38. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13651. Epub 2022 Jul 2.
  4. Brent DA, Horowitz LM, Grupp-Phelan J, Bridge JA, Gibbons R, Chernick LS, Rea M, Cwik MF, Shenoi RP, Fein JA, Mahabee-Gittens EM, Patel SJ, Mistry RD, Duffy S, Melzer-Lange MD, Rogers A, Cohen DM, Keller A, Hickey RW, Page K, Casper TC, King CA; Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). Prediction of Suicide Attempts and Suicide-Related Events Among Adolescents Seen in Emergency Departments. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Feb 1;6(2):e2255986. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.55986. PMID: 36790810; PMCID: PMC9932829.
  5. Tsui FR, Shi L, Ruiz V, Ryan ND, Biernesser C, Iyengar S, Walsh CG, Brent DA. Natural language processing and machine learning of electronic health records for prediction of first-time suicide attempts. JAMIA Open. 2021 Mar 17;4(1):ooab011. doi: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab011. PMID: 33758800; PMCID: PMC7966858.

Clinical Interests

Adolescent suicide and suicidal behavior; Cognitive behavior therapy; Adolescent depression
Selected Clinical Publications & Products
  1. Brent DA, Poling K, Goldstein TR. Treating Depressed and Suicidal Adolescents: A Clinician's Guide New York: Guilford Press; 2011.
  2. Kerr MM, Brent DA, McKain B, McCommons PS. Postvention Standards Manual - A Guide for a School's Response in the Aftermath of a Sudden Death. Pittsburgh:University of Pittsburgh; 2010.
  3. Poling K, Brent DA, Birmaher B. Understanding and Coping with Bipolar Illness: A Survival Manual for Families. Pittsburgh: WPIC; 1998.
  4. Brent DA, Poling K. Cognitive Therapy Manual for Depressed and Suicidal Youth. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh; 1997.

Education Interests

Research mentorship

David Brent, MD, Honored by the American College of Psychiatrists for Achievement in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr. David Brent

Congratulations to David Brent, MD (Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, and Clinical and Translational Science and Endowed Chair in Suicide Studies), who has received the American College of Psychiatrists 2026 Award for Leadership in Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry. The Award recognizes an individual who has made sustained and substantial contributions to child, adolescent...

JAMA Network Open: Risk for Suicide Attempts Assessed Using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 Modified for Teens

David Brent, MD

Suicide rates among adolescents have been increasing for more than 15 years. One strategy for reversing this disturbing trend is to screen for depression and suicidal risk in the pediatric primary care setting. The Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), a self-report screen for depression in adults and adolescents during outpatient visits, has been shown to effectively detect major depression. In addition, item 9...

Pitt Psychiatry Recognized by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health & the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Awards

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry has received recent honors from the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) The ACAMH, based in London, UK, is a multidisciplinary organization that promotes the advancement of child and adolescent mental health. Boris Birmaher, MD...

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry—Bridging Gaps in Care Following Hospitalization for Suicidal Adolescents: As Safe as Possible (ASAP) and BRITE App 

Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Brent

Over the past decade, rates of suicidal ideation and behavior in American adolescents have increased dramatically. One strategy for preventing suicide is to develop interventions for use during elevated risk periods, such as immediately following inpatient discharge for suicidal adolescents. The time during and immediately after hospital discharge offers a critical window to enhance vulnerable youths’ coping skills...

JAMA Network Open: Risk for Suicidal Behavior after Psychiatric Hospitalization among Sexual and Gender Minority Patients

Dr. Brian Thoma

The year following inpatient psychiatric hospitalization—particularly the first three months following discharge—are a period of high risk for suicidal behavior among psychiatric patients. Prior history of suicidal behavior, mood, anxiety, substance use, and post-traumatic stress disorders contribute to risk for future suicidal behavior within this population. Psychosocial stressors also contribute to risk for...