Northwestern University is launching a new research institute to study young adults’ mental health, made possible by a $25 million donation from an anonymous donor.
The Institute for Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being will bring together researchers across various fields from psychiatry and neurobiology to communication studies and social policy. Housed in the psychology department at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the institute will work to translate findings into wellness programs that directly benefit Northwestern students and “beyond,” according to a news release.
The launch comes as mental health challenges for teenagers and young adults have continued to increase over the last decade.
A 2023 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 40% of American high school students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
This initiative aims to directly address this issue by uniting researchers across the university to advance research on the mental and emotional health of young adults during a “critical stage of brain development,” according to the news release.
“Conducting research that leads to better health outcomes and caring for the well-being of our students are two of our University’s most important priorities,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in the release. “This transformative gift will enable us to further both of these vital pursuits, driving new discoveries that support the needs of our students and young people globally.”
The institute will partner with the university’s Division of Student Affairs, enabling researchers to study student mental health while providing staff with the latest insights to implement new mental health programming.
“College students nationwide have shown a growing need for mental health support, and we are finding that the same is true of our students here at Northwestern,” Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Davis said in the release. “I am eager to partner with our expert faculty to develop new resources that will better serve our student community.”
The donor’s gift will also fund student programs, helping translate the latest findings in mental health research into support for Northwestern students.
Recognizing the challenges young adults face, the donor stressed the “urgent” need to support their well-being, believing Northwestern to be well-equipped to make a substantial difference in this area.
