Charlotte Farewell PhD, MPH
DIRECTOR (PMHW), RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
- Department of Community & Behavioral Health
Dr. Farewell is a senior research instructor and the director of the MPH in Population Mental Health & Wellbeing (PMHW) program. Her PhD is in health and behavioral sciences from the University of Colorado. Her dissertation involved exploring associations between perinatal stress and childhood BMI in New Zealand. Her research is focused on using mixed-methods to analyze developmental research questions, with a specific focus on maternal mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety) during the perinatal period, the investigation of non-pharmaceutical methods that can be targeted and/or mobilized to promote maternal resilience in multi-ethnic and disadvantaged communities, and promoting mental and physical health among formal and informal caregivers and children in early childhood education settings.
Areas of Expertise
- Maternal stress
- Perinatal mental health
- Resilience
- Mind-body interventions
- Early childhood development
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- PhD, Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Colorado, 2019
- MPH, Community and Behavioral Health, Tulane University, 2012
- BS, Biology, University of Richmond
Resumes/CV:
Awards
- Lorna Grindlay Moore Faculty Launch Award, University of Colorado, 2020
Research Description
Seed grant project title: Mindful Moms to Be
Current research focus: This proposal's objective is to investigate the feasibility of remote facilitation of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) among a sample of pregnant women living in Colorado. Current research suggests that COVID-19 has amplified perinatal mood disorders via stress related to uncertainty surrounding risk and exposure, a perceived lack of control, and lack of social supports and connectedness. This is a unique opportunity to pilot test the feasibility of an innovative mindfulness-based intervention that can address these concerns and promote adaptive coping during this type of stressful event. Implementation and evaluation of remote mindfulness-based interventions are of paramount importance to inform how practitioners can promote the mental and physical health of pregnant and postpartum women. Findings from this study will begin to inform how prenatal MBIs may be feasibly delivered via remote platforms, mechanisms of action that impact prenatal depression, stress, and anxiety, and potential for sustained positive mental and physical health impacts into the postpartum period.