SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 28, 2024—Greg Hajcak, the Sheri Sobrato Professor of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Santa Clara University, has been awarded a significant three-year, $3 million grant from the State of California. This funding aims to address the escalating youth mental health crisis, particularly focusing on the alarming rates of depression among LGBTQ+ youth.
Responding to a Critical Need
The grant is administered by the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM) and is part of the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS). It comes in response to distressing statistics highlighted in the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in five adolescents reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected, facing higher rates of victimization and social stigma.
Recent findings from a 2022 survey conducted by The Trevor Project reveal the gravity of the situation for LGBTQ+ youth in California:
44% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in 2022, with 54% of transgender and nonbinary youth contemplating suicide.
14% attempted suicide, including 19% of transgender and nonbinary youth.
62% of LGBTQ youth who sought mental health care were unable to access it, with 58% of transgender and nonbinary youth experiencing similar barriers.
Despite their heightened need for mental health support, LGBTQ+ youth are among the least likely demographic to receive the necessary services.
Project Goals and Collaborations
With the new funding, Hajcak will collaborate with researchers from esteemed institutions such as Stanford, UCLA, Rosalind Franklin, and Yale. Industry partners Flourish Labs (Peers.net) and Muse, along with community partners like the Alum Rock Counseling Center and a Youth Advisory Board, will also be involved in the initiative.
“Addressing the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ youth is not just important—it’s imperative,” Hajcak emphasized. “These young people face unique and significant challenges that contribute to higher rates of depression and other mental health issues. Our work aims to give them the tools and support they need to build resilience, reduce negative emotions, and increase positive experiences. By creating accessible resources and interventions, we hope to make a lasting impact on their well-being and help close the gap in mental health care.”
Innovative Intervention Strategies
The project will evaluate two promising online approaches tailored specifically for LGBTQ+ youth to help alleviate their experiences of depression:
A Novel Digital Application: This app will provide resources and support aimed at helping users manage their mental health.
Telehealth-Based Peer Counseling: This strategy will enable youth to connect with trained peers for guidance and support.
The intervention strategies will focus on several key areas:
Increasing Resilience: Helping youth externalize and reduce internalized stigma and related stressors.
Decreasing Negative Emotions: Providing tools for emotional regulation.
Increasing Positive Emotions: Encouraging participation in rewarding and fulfilling activities.
Comprehensive Resources and Outcomes
At the conclusion of the study, Hajcak’s team plans to develop a comprehensive website that will offer a variety of resources, including training and intervention materials, all accessible at no cost. This initiative aims to enhance mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth throughout California, particularly those at risk for depression, while also working to reduce longstanding health inequities.
Sabrina Zirkel, dean of Santa Clara’s School of Education and Counseling Psychology, expressed her pride in Hajcak’s leadership and commitment. “His team’s innovative approach and dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ youth will have a profound impact on young people struggling with depression. This research perfectly embodies the aims of our work in child and adolescent mental health—providing high-quality research and intervention tools to transform the lives of young people and then putting these tools directly to use.”
About the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine (CIAPM)
Established in 2015, CIAPM supports patient-focused research demonstration projects and fosters connections among health and medicine stakeholders across California. Initially part of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, CIAPM now operates under CalHHS, facilitating collaborations among scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and patient participants. The goal is to translate available large data sets and technical innovations into improved and equitable health outcomes. For more information, please visit the Precision Medicine webpage.
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