The AIM Ideas Lab, a project that conducts studies and analyzes data with a focus on mental health, is collecting applications for this year with the goal of expanding and improving its program.

AIM Youth Mental Health, founded by local Susan Stilwell in 2014 with multiple branches all over California, is designed to improve awareness on mental health issues that arise with youth and to try and bridge the gap between resources and children’s access to them. The AIM Ideas Lab was started in 2021 after the pandemic in order to bring youth voices.

“We really believe that the youth are their own experts in their experiences and the value in what they need,” says Mariana Jimenez, the program director for the AIM Ideas Lab. “It’s an opportunity for them to conduct research with their peers, make recommendations and propose solutions.”

Joining the AIM Ideas Lab is an eight-week commitment that includes communicating with mentors and mental health professionals, learning the proper way to conduct a survey and writing a final research report at the end of it. The Ideas Lab emphasizes the way that students can have their voices heard and actually make a difference in their community.

“Through AIM, I gained experience conducting research, analyzing data and working alongside peers on the leading disruptors of mental health,” says CHS graduate Olivia Bartle, who participated in the 2024 lab. “The greatest benefit, however, was the feeling of purpose throughout the entire eight weeks, knowing that the positive impact that our research could have not only in our community but nationwide.”

In addition to the final report written up, students also have the opportunity to present their findings to a wide audience. This year, the Ideas Lab plans on changing the model from a panel of students to a live discussion between the program participants and full-time mental health specialists. Former participants say that the experience was a good learning opportunity and showcased the work they put into the project.

“When I chose to present [at the symposium], I was already fairly comfortable being onstage, but presenting in the panel would definitely be a good way to get more experience in that regard,” says 2024 participant and CHS graduate Alyssa Galicia. “I was so welcomed and encouraged to share my insights, and I feel it was a wonderful experience.”

With the Nov. 22 deadline to apply approaching, what previously was open only to students in designated counties is now open to all California high school students. The push to expand is strong this year for AIM Youth Mental Health since many youth are still recovering from the impacts of being isolated during the pandemic.

A mix of finding resources to help with psychological help, creating surveys, collecting data and practicing public speaking, the AIM Ideas Lab caters to students who want to improve on a variety of skills.

“It was really interesting to hear professionals talk about the mental health crisis among teenagers, especially after the pandemic,” says 2024 graduate Grant Xu, a member of the 2023 presentation. “And then seeing how they sorted and analyzed the data to draw trends was super cool since they essentially taught you how to ethically conduct a study.”

The original article can be found here, published on the Carmel Sandpiper.