In this lab, we conduct collaborative, multi-disciplinary projects to achieve our goals. Below are a few of our initiatives:
Mentoring for Mental Health is series of studies examining the utility of mentoring for the prevention of mental health problems and the promotion of positive mental health. In partnership with the University YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, MENTOR Minnesota, and RiseUp Red Wing, we are conducting studies related to mentor training in emotion coaching and task-shifting evidence-based mental health interventions to youth mentoring programs.
Campus Connections is an community-based intervention targeting adolescents exposed to a range of adverse experiences, co-developed by Dr. Weiler and colleagues at Colorado State University (Drs. Shelley Haddock, Toni Zimmerman, and Jen Krafchick). Campus Connections is a multidisciplinary service-learning course where undergraduate students serve as mentors to youth for four hours per week over 12 weeks. During that time, mentors support healthy socio-emotional development by forging a positive mentoring relationship and participating in positive youth development activities. Family therapist trainees facilitate the program. We are currently evaluating program effectiveness, as well as factors associated with better outcomes.
Fostering Healthy Futures is a collaborative project with Dr. Heather Taussig at the University of Denver. Fostering Healthy Futures is a 9-month mentoring-based preventive intervention for children with child welfare involvement who have experienced maltreatment. In this program, children are mentored in one-to-one relationships with graduate students in social work and related fields and participate in weekly skills groups facilitated by mental health professionals. Fostering Healthy Futures is an evidence-based intervention with demonstrated outcomes across multiple domains. We are currently evaluating the conditions under which this program is most effective and identifying who is likely to benefit.