Northwestern launches mental health research institute fueled by $25M donation
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.
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Asplenia (without a functioning spleen) : Hib vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae type b), Meningococcal vaccines – both MenACWY and MenB, Pneumococcal vaccine : Hib vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae type b), Meningococcal vaccines – both MenACWY and MenB, Pneumococcal vaccine Diabetes, type 1 and type 2: Pneumococcal vaccine Pneumococcal vaccine Heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular diseases: Pneumococcal vaccine Pneumococcal vaccine HIV infection: Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). Pneumococcal vaccine, Shingles vaccine. If your CD4 count is 200 or greater, you may also need Chickenpox vaccine and MMR vaccine Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). Pneumococcal vaccine, Shingles vaccine. If your CD4 count is 200 or greater, you may also need Chickenpox vaccine and MMR vaccine Liver disease: Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine Lung disease (Including Asthma or COPD): Pneumococcal vaccine Pneumococcal vaccine End-stage renal (kidney) disease: Hepatitis B vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine Weakened immune system (excluding HIV infection): Hib vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccines, Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY and MenB), Shingles vaccine What vaccines are recommended for children? Birth: Hepatitis B vaccine (1st of 3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine (1st of 3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine 1-2 months: DTaP vaccine (1st of 5), Hib vaccine (1st of 3 or 4), Hepatitis B vaccine (2nd of 3), IPV (for polio, 1st of 4), PCV (1st of 4), rotavirus vaccine (1st of 2 or 3) DTaP vaccine (1st of 5), Hib vaccine (1st of 3 or 4), Hepatitis B vaccine (2nd of 3), IPV (for polio, 1st of 4), PCV (1st of 4), rotavirus vaccine (1st of 2 or 3) 4 months: DTaP vaccine (2nd of 5), Hib vaccine (2nd of 3 or 4), IPV (2nd of 4), PCV (2nd of 4), rotavirus vaccine (2nd of 2 or 3) DTaP vaccine (2nd of 5), Hib vaccine (2nd of 3 or 4), IPV (2nd of 4), PCV (2nd of 4), rotavirus vaccine (2nd of 2 or 3) 6 months: COVID-19 vaccine, DTaP vaccine (3rd of 5), Hepatitis B vaccine (3rd of 3), IPV (3rd of 4), Hib vaccine (3rd of 3 or 4), PCV (3rd of 4), rotavirus vaccine (3rd of 2 or 3) COVID-19 vaccine, DTaP vaccine (3rd of 5), Hepatitis B vaccine (3rd of 3), IPV (3rd of 4), Hib vaccine (3rd of 3 or 4), PCV (3rd of 4), rotavirus vaccine (3rd of 2 or 3) 7-11 months: Flu vaccine Flu vaccine 12 -23 months: Chickenpox vaccine (1st of 2), DTaP vaccine (4th of 5), flu vaccine (every flu season), Hepatitis A vaccine (1st of 2), Hepatitis B vaccine (3rd of 3 between 6 months and 18 months), Hib vaccine (4th of 4), IPV (3rd of 4 between 6 months and 18 months), MMR vaccine (1st of 2), PCV (4th of 4). Chickenpox vaccine (1st of 2), DTaP vaccine (4th of 5), flu vaccine (every flu season), Hepatitis A vaccine (1st of 2), Hepatitis B vaccine (3rd of 3 between 6 months and 18 months), Hib vaccine (4th of 4), IPV (3rd of 4 between 6 months and 18 months), MMR vaccine (1st of 2), PCV (4th of 4). 2-3 years: Flu vaccine every flu season. Flu vaccine every flu season. 4-6 years: Chickenpox vaccine (2nd of 2), DTaP vaccine (5th of 5), Flu vaccine every flu season, IPV (4th of 4), MMR vaccine (2nd of 2). Chickenpox vaccine (2nd of 2), DTaP vaccine (5th of 5), Flu vaccine every flu season, IPV (4th of 4), MMR vaccine (2nd of 2). 7-10 years: Flu vaccine every flu season, good time to catch up on any missing vaccines. Flu vaccine every flu season, good time to catch up on any missing vaccines. 11-12 years: Flu vaccine every flu season, HPV vaccine (2 doses), MenACWY vaccine (1st dose of 2), Tdap vaccine. Flu vaccine every flu season, HPV vaccine (2 doses), MenACWY vaccine (1st dose of 2), Tdap vaccine. 13-18 years: Flu vaccine every flu season, MenACWY vaccine (2nd dose of 2), MenB vaccine (2 doses), MenABCWY vaccine. Baby vaccines: Babies get a lot of vaccines before they turn 2. Is it safe to spread them out instead? What vaccines does Florida require to attend school? The state of Florida requires certain vaccines to be administered before children may enroll and attend childcare and school. According to the Florida Department of Health, the following vaccines are required, with age-appropriate doses: Immunizations required for childcare and/or family daycare Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) Varicella (chickenpox) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15/20) Hepatitis B (Hep B) Public/non-public preschool entry DTaP IPV MMR Varicella Hib Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15/20) Hepatitis B (Hep B) Public/non-public schools kindergarten through 12th grade Four or five doses of DTaP Four or five doses of IPV Two doses of MMR Three doses of Hep B One Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) Two doses of Varicella (kindergarten effective with 2008–2009 school year, then an additional grade is added each year thereafter). Varicella vaccine is not required if there is a history of varicella disease documented by the health care provider. As of 2010, children entering, attending or transferring to the seventh grade in Florida schools must also complete one Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap). Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY
