Over the past decade, adolescents and young adults in the United States have experienced growing rates of mental health problems. Between a global pandemic, the pressures of social media, concerns about the state of our world, and the changes that come with navigating increasing autonomy and responsibility, rates of depression and suicide are at an all-time high among adolescents. Researchers at Rutgers are working to better understand mental health outcomes in young people, and how we can best support them in ways that meet their unique needs. Here are some of the ways we’re working to promote healthier outcomes for our youth.
Understanding the impact of social media
We all spend a lot of time online, taking in all sorts of media whether we recognize it or not. But how is this deluge of media affecting young people? Dr. Kristina Jackson, Associate Director of Epidemiology, Etiology, and Prevention in the RARC, is studying social influences and exposure to alcohol and cannabis content in the media. She is using this information to develop programs that help teens and young adults interpret the substance-related information they come across in the media.
Taking advantage of technological advancements
What if the time we spend on our phones could be put to good use? Dr. Tammy Chung, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Population Behavioral Health, is evaluating the use of mobile technology for substance use assessment and intervention. She is currently using the sensors in a person’s phone to detect when a person might be experiencing cannabis intoxication so that we can deliver a brief intervention when and where it might have the most impact to reduce cannabis-related harm. Her recent study found that the combination of time features and smartphone sensor data had 90% accuracy in detecting cannabis intoxication among young adults.
Dr. Joshua Langberg, Director of the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness (CYSEW), is using Virtual Reality (VR) technology to enhance learning outcomes and promote flow experience among young adults with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His recent study shows that the use of VR significantly increased concentration, motivation, and effort levels, suggesting that VR can be a valuable tool in supporting those with ADHD to lead successful academic lives.
Providing a range of support
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care provides substance use and mental health programming for more than 150 schools across New Jersey. In addition the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness (CYSEW) directed by Dr. Langberg offers training and workshops on school and community evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies, comprehensive evaluations of school and community mental health efforts, and support for integrating high-quality mental health assessment and treatment services into medical, school, and business settings.
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