Understanding how policies affect the mental health of Latinx youth
Official title: Policy as a Structural Barrier and Facilitator of Latinx Youth Mental Health
Funded at Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-11015821 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how laws and policies affect the mental health of Latinx teens, who often deal with more challenges than other young people, and it aims to find ways to better support them based on their experiences and backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $118,196 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MD018452-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015821 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latinx youth aged 12 to 20 who may be experiencing mental health challenges or engaging in substance use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latinx or who do not fall within the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of laws and policies on the mental health of Latinx adolescents, who face higher rates of behavioral health risks compared to their peers. It aims to explore how social and environmental factors, particularly related to immigration status, influence mental health outcomes. By constructing a dataset on relevant policies and employing quasi-experimental methods, the study seeks to identify pathways that connect these policies to mental health disparities. The goal is to provide insights that could lead to improved support and resources for Latinx youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better policies that enhance mental health support for Latinx adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into youth mental health, this specific focus on the intersection of policy and Latinx youth mental health is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villamil Grest, Carolina — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Villamil Grest, Carolina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
-
Long-term HIV prevention and mental health support for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
A long-term program in rural Uganda tests if combining economic support and family strengthening helps teenage girls stay HIV-free and improve mental health as they grow into young adults.
-
Johns Hopkins Total Worker Health Center focusing on mental health
A nationwide center at Johns Hopkins is working to improve mental health and well-being among workers by studying workplace health strategies and translating findings into practical tools.
-
Maternal mental health help to protect kids’ breathing health
A mother-focused mental health program is tested to see if improving moms’ mood can also support better breathing and fewer asthma symptoms in children.
-
SNEngage: How Social Networks and Supports Shape Mental Health Care for Black and Latino Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
A long-term study following Black and Latino individuals with serious mental illness to learn how their social networks affect engagement with mental health services and overall well-being.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.