Innovation for the Human Experience

DU Researchers Empower Young Adults Through Innovation and Education

Marked by significant personal and professional development, young adulthood is a pivotal phase of life. The University of Denver is making a profound impact on this transformative period, from harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to screen for mental health conditions to empowering the next generation of educators and experts.  
 

Filling a Gap in Mental Health Care With AI

Anxiety and depression often emerge during early adulthood, as young people experience major life changes and barriers to receiving mental health care.

While screening for mental health conditions is important for all adolescents, it’s become even more critical in Colorado, where Governor Jared Polis signed a mandate in 2023 for schools to provide mental health evaluations for all students in sixth through 12th grade.

One DU researcher is testing whether AI can streamline that process. Partnering with Ellipsis Health, DU Graduate School of Social Work Professor Johnny Kim is validating the company’s vocal biomarker tool, which engages users in a 90-second conversation before using an algorithm to flag signs of anxiety or depression.

“We don’t have enough clinicians to screen and treat everyone who needs it. That’s the problem the mental health field is facing now,” Kim says. “This tool is convenient, remote, and can be done almost any time as long as they’re in a quiet room with a mobile device and internet.”

The technology, which has already been validated in adults, could help to facilitate timely support for young adults, ensuring they get connected with the care they need to lead healthier, independent lives.

• Building Trust: How to Discuss Mental Health with Young Adults

  Talking to young adults about mental health can be challenging but is crucial for their well-being. Here are five ways parents can approach these conversations:

  1. Create a Safe and Open Environment: Ensure your adolescent feels comfortable and safe to talk about their feelings. Let them know that it's okay to discuss their emotions and that you are there to listen without judgment.
  2. Be Honest and Direct: Use clear and straightforward language when discussing mental health. Avoid euphemisms or vague terms, and be honest about the importance of mental health and the challenges it can present.
  3. Share Your Own Experiences: If appropriate, share your own experiences with mental health. This can help normalize the conversation and show your young adult that they are not alone in their struggles.
  4. Encourage Professional Help: Emphasize the importance of seeking help from mental health professionals. Explain that seeing a therapist or counselor is a positive step towards feeling better and managing their mental health.
  5. Provide Resources and Support: Offer information about mental health resources, such as hotlines, websites and local support groups. Let your adolescent know that there are many ways to get help and that you are there to support them in finding the right resources.

Combating Substance Abuse in Summit County

In addition to anxiety and depression, substance abuse is also prevalent during young adulthood, with people ages 18 to 25 facing some of the highest rates of drug and alcohol problems.

In Colorado’s Summit County, overdose deaths more than doubled over a seven-year span, reaching 24.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.

Recognizing the need for increased harm reduction efforts, the Butler Institute for Families in the Graduate School of Social Work has partnered with Mile High Behavioral Healthcare to facilitate a syringe access program in the county.

Syringe access programs have been proven to reduce injection use, increase enrollment in drug treatment and decrease the rate of sexually transmitted infections. Despite their effectiveness, these programs often face public skepticism and opposition. To learn more about the public’s attitudes toward a proposed program in Summit County, the Butler Institute surveyed residents about stigma, drug injection practices and interest in potential services.

Based on that feedback, DU’s Butler Institute for Families has designed an access program that provides critical resources and education for drug users, promoting safer practices and connecting individuals to treatment options.

“We’re never going to eliminate substance use,” says Shaina Swain, a research associate at the Butler Institute who led the needs assessment. “Harm reduction is the concept of saying that no matter who you are, no matter what your experience, we want to help you make the best choices for yourself.”   

 

Empowering Girls in STEM

Opportunities for young adults don’t just depend on overcoming challenges; they also require access to fields historically lacking diversity. 

Although 47% of U.S. women ages 25 to 34 have a bachelor's degree compared with 37% of men, women make up just 34% of the workforce in professional STEM fields.

That’s why three DU professors in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics teamed up to develop summer camps specifically designed for middle-school girls to gain exposure to STEM fields. By providing hands-on experiences and mentorship, the camps aim to ignite interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

Their research indicated that these programs significantly enhanced participants' confidence and enthusiasm toward STEM subjects, empowering young women to pursue STEM careers.

• Unlocking a Passion for STEM: Five Easy Ways to Support Girls

  Do you have a girl in your life interested in STEM? Here are five easy ways to help girls develop a strong interest in STEM and empower them to pursue their passions:

  1. Enroll Them in STEM Camps: Programs like the summer camps at the University of Denver provide hands-on experiences and mentorship. These camps can ignite interest and build confidence in STEM subjects through engaging activities and real-world applications.
  2. Encourage Participation in STEM Clubs: Many schools and communities offer STEM clubs or after-school programs. Joining these clubs allows girls to explore their interests, work on projects and collaborate with peers who share similar passions.
  3. Provide STEM Toys and Kits: Give girls access to STEM-related toys and kits, such as building sets, coding games and science experiment kits. These tools can make learning fun and interactive, sparking curiosity and creativity.
  4. Introduce Female Role Models: Expose girls to successful women in STEM fields through books, documentaries and guest speakers. Seeing women who have achieved success in these areas can inspire girls to pursue their own STEM dreams.
  5. Support Inquiry-Based Learning at Home: Encourage girls to ask questions and explore the world around them. Conduct simple science experiments, explore nature or work on DIY projects together. This hands-on approach fosters a love for discovery and problem-solving.

Boosting Black Students’ Success 

Creating pathways to STEM fields is just one part of DU’s broader commitment to educational equity. Another key initiative is the Black Student Success (BSS) program, a collaborative effort with Denver Public Schools Title 1 High Schools intended to improve academic outcomes for Black students.

According to research from BSS program founder Erin Anderson, an associate professor in DU’s Morgridge College of Education, most young Black children see themselves as academically inclined. Unfortunately, the school system frequently fails to foster that academic identity. 

The program focuses on identifying the strategies of “rock star teachers” and uses those insights to increase graduation rates, grade level performance, enrollment in rigorous classes and the feeling of safety and support. 

By analyzing what works best in high-performing schools and implementing those methods more widely, DU researchers contribute to an educational system that sets up every student for success.   

 

Creating a Teacher Pipeline

Realizing that representation in the classroom matters, DU faculty are putting their research into action by building a diverse and representative teaching force. 

The Grow-Your-Own (GYO) Teacher Initiative in Denver Public School (DPS) Title 1 high schools was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation. This initiative for first-generation students and students of color is led by William Anderson, director of teacher education and clinical assistant professor in DU’s Morgridge College of Education. 

DU’s program includes partnerships with four DPS high schools and three pathways for students to experience teaching. “Our goal is to establish lasting resources to keep this program growing,” Anderson says.

Through early, hands-on experiences and mentorship, GYO is cultivating future educators who reflect and understand the diverse communities they serve.

Regardless of their profession, young adults experience significant growth through these challenges and discoveries. DU ensures that as they transition into middle age, they can build upon a solid foundation that guides their future contributions and successes.