The Michigan Project for Informed Public Policy (MPIPP) is an initiative of the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation to improve the lives of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) by using psychological research to inform public policy.
The mission of the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation (www.mpafoundation.org) is to support projects that use science-based knowledge to educate mental health professionals and the general public about psychological issues in order to promote the public welfare. As a non-profit, the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation is not a public policy advocate. This includes the work done by the MPIPP program.
Goal of MPIPP
The goal of MPIPP (www.mpipp.org) is to provide policy makers and others with science-based information to assist in making data-driven decisions on issues of concern to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and their allies.
What we do
MPIPP provides psychological and social science research findings about LGBT issues. The research we cite has been peer-reviewed and considered valid by those in the larger mental health community. MPIPP makes this research available for use by policy makers at the state and local level. We also make this available to the general public and various organizations.
The research provided by MPIPP addresses social issues such as school bullying, workplace discrimination, violence and hate crimes, and harassment of LGBT people in our communities. Prejudice-based stigma and discrimination have been shown to negatively impact mental health of LGBT citizens, resulting in higher rates of depression, anxiety, and attempted suicide. These mental health stressors and associated trauma also have a cumulative effect on physical well-being, similar to other stress-related disorders (such as higher rates of heart disease or addictions).
MPIPP also has developed a research-based educational program, the KNOW US PROJECT™ that shows LGBT people (and their allies) how to talk to others about the personal impact of social stigma and discrimination. The program generally uses experienced mental health professionals who can help participants recognize possible negative feelings and emotions that may be experienced during or after KUP conversations and larn to address them through self-care, stress management, and professional help if indicated.
Our partners
Through its affiliation with national partners such as the American Psychological Association, the Rockway Institute at Alliant University, other state and local organizations, and national professional associations, MPIPP is able to provide science-based information and education to help bring a coordinated focus to these mental health issues.
In addition, MPIPP has a network of more than 150 volunteers including social scientists and mental health professionals from every geographic area of Michigan.
Funding
MPIPP's work is funded primarily by a grant from the Arcus Foundation to the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation (MPAF). Personal donations are also accepted.