Why is this research being done?

We want to learn how young people with mental health conditions are doing right now as they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study has 2 phases.

• The first was a national online survey of young adults about their personal experiences, emotional wellness, physical health, and what they were doing to stay well during the pandemic.
• The second is a longitudinal qualitative research study to understand these youths’ lived experiences of disrupted life transitions, the impact of these disruptions, and their resiliency. 

What questions do we hope to answer?

For the national web survey  

• ​How are young people with mental health conditions dealing with the  pandemic? 
• How has the pandemic interfered with the things they want to be doing?​ 
• What are their strengths & what new things have they learned?
• What needs & barriers are they facing in trying to get help or treatment?

For the longitudinal qualitative interviews  

• How do young people with mental health conditions experience disrupted life transitions & how does this change over time?
• ​What changes in health, well-being, & mental health do they describe with their disrupted milestones? 
• ​What personal agency, strengths, & coping strategies are they using to get their lives back on-track & how do these change over time? 

Who is running the study?

This project is a collaboration with the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Who is participating?

20 young adults are participating in the qualitative interviews. 967 young adults completed our national web survey.

How will this study be helpful? 

We’ll learn how a large group of young people with mental health conditions across the country feels about their health, wellness, challenges, successes, and more. We'll also gain an in-depth understanding of how young adults' normative life transitions have been affected by the pandemic. We’ll use these results to recommend services and policies to improve the lives of young people.

What has the study found so far?

Coming soon! A first look at preliminary findings from our national web survey.

What if I need help during COVID?

 
Our Center’s COVID-19 Wellness Toolkit
 
UMass Transitions ACR’s COVID-19 Resources for Young Adults

We understand that this is a difficult time for many people. If you would like someone to talk with, all U.S. states offer Warm Lines operated by trained staff. Find a warm line.
 
If you are in a crisis, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in your state. Find the number for my state.