To integrate teens into the research process and help disseminate research to teens, we have started a new program within the lab called the RISE team, standing for Research, Innovation, Support, and Education. Our team is composed of high school students across New Jersey who are hoping to learn and contribute to mental health research and outreach in their schools and communities.
Find out more about the RISE Team here.
Anushka, 16
Hillsborough High School - Hillsborough, NJ
Anushka is a junior who is passionate about mental health advocacy and spreading awareness about the subject. After dealing with mental health struggles of her own during the COVID pandemic, Anushka became extremely passionate about helping other teens and removing the stigma around the topic of mental health. Anushka is a committee leader of her school’s Social Activism Club, where they discuss a variety of social issues, including mental well-being. Anushka hopes to become active in psychology research in college, and she hopes to continue being a mental health advocate for as long as she can. In her free time, she likes to bake & lift weights.
Anya, 15
Somerset County Vocational Technical High School - Hillsborough, NJ
The transition from middle school to high school impacted several students. It was quite hard seeing my fellow classmates adjust. The constant academic pressure puts on students to achieve perfect grades while maintaining their overall well-being. As a new member of the rise team, I hope this year I can promote new mental health coping mechanisms for my school. I also hope to introduce new mental health resources that my classmates might not have already known. Through the rise team, I hope to learn and collaborate with my peers. Outside of rise team, I am a member of Doctors without Borders, HOSA, and volunteer at a physical therapy clinic. In my free time, I enjoy playing chess, gardening, and playing badminton. In the future, I aspire to do more research in the psychology area.
El, 15
Edison Magnet Academy - South Plainfield, NJ
El is a sophomore at Edison Magnet Academy who joined the RISE Team to learn more about mental health and learn more ways to help her school community. She is the proud president of the GSA at her school and hopes to create a RISE or a mental health club. El aims to help her fellow teens navigate their mental health and make their own improvement journeys. Driven by her own experiences, El is passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Outside of her advocacy work, El is enjoys making bracelets, writing, drawing, and listening to music.
Isha, 16
Morris Hills High School - Rockaway Township, NJ
Isha is a senior who is passionate about understanding and advocating for adolescent mental health. Growing up, she noticed a lack of awareness around mental health, and hopes to change this by continuing to provide resources and research to her community. She has a strong interest in the effects of technology on adolescent mental health, and hopes to learn more about how to promote digital wellbeing to high school students. Also, she takes part in leading the Northern New Jersey sector of the Red Cross New Jersey Youth Council. She also enjoys drawing, baking and going on walks. She is very excited to be a part of the RISE team and learn more about how she can positively impact adolescent mental health. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in technology and psychology.
Kevin, 15
St.Peter's Prep - Jersey City, NJ
Kevin is a dedicated sophomore in high school who recognizes the importance of promoting mental health awareness. Looking back, he noticed that during elementary and middle school there was a lack of emphasis on educating young people about the importance of mental health and how to maintain emotional well-being. From his own personal research on psychology, Kevin has become passionate about making a positive impact in his community; he has committed himself to volunteer work and making people's voices heard. He currently volunteers at a local nursing home, at his town's rescue squad, and in the Emergency Department at the JCMC. At school he is a part of the Diversity Board and the Student Council. In addition to his passion for positive impacts, Kevin enjoys participating in Model UN, playing volleyball, practicing martial arts, and listening to music.
Rivi, 16
Cherry Hill High School East - Cherry Hill, NJ
From a very young age, Rivi has been driven to make a positive difference in the autism community because she has Asperger’s and is lucky enough to articulate her experiences and advocate for herself and others who are neurodivergent. She also wants to make a difference in the mental health community because of her challenges with anxiety and OCD. Rivi has taken these goals and turned them into action by founding and serving as the president of the Autism Acceptance Club in her high school. This club fosters autism understanding through various interactive methods of autism education and creates a tight knit community for neurodivergent and neurotypical teens. She also globalized another Autism Acceptance Club on a virtual platform for high schoolers in 63 countries through her leadership youth group. Since their inception last year, over 100 members have joined these autism acceptance clubs. Additionally, Rivi has been active in her school’s Neuroscience Club since her freshman year, and this is her second year serving as their Social Media Coordinator and leading meetings that discuss mental health strategies and neuroscience phenomena. Through the RISE Team, Rivi aims to gain more knowledge and research skills in the fields of psychology and neuroscience, and to utilize her skills of programming and creating promotional materials to spread mental health and neurodivergent acceptance in her school and beyond.
Ryan, 15
Ridgewood High School - Ridgewood, NJ
Ryan, a junior at Ridgewood High School, is driven by a genuine passion for psychology, particularly how it connects with sleep, sports, and mental health. As the President of the Psychology Club, he is actively engaged in promoting the field within a supportive environment for his peers. As the founder of REM Reward, Ryan aims to transform sleep from a basic necessity to a tool for success and well-being, rooted in his belief that sleep is a cornerstone for mental and physical success, especially for young people balancing academics, sports, and social life. Ryan’s interest in the psychology of performance, particularly in athletes, has driven him to explore the intersections of mental health, sleep optimization, and cognitive performance. Beyond his work with REM Reward and the Psychology Club, Ryan enjoys staying active through running, lifting, and basketball and is constantly seeking new ways to integrate mental wellness with physical health. Through collaboration and research, he aims to advocate for mental health awareness, helping other students rise above their challenges.
Shakthi, 17
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School - Woodbridge, NJ
Shakthi has always been intrigued about the varying factors that are influencing mental health in adolescents. She is interested in how these factors influence individuals in different ways, but more importantly, how to guide teens just like herself through adolescent life while maintaining the delicate balance between mental health and overall well-being. Shakthi knows that one of the best ways to achieve this goal is through increased awareness. While mental health resources are more readily available, their reach is still quite limited. She is dedicated to bringing understanding to teens, rather than reducing them to the “typical moody teenager”. Through the RISE Team, Shakthi hopes to learn about the ins and outs of adolescent mental health, how to connect peers and the public to mental health resources, and different research methodologies. In her free time, Shakthi enjoys playing badminton, creating art, and hiking. She aspires to become a compassionate clinician in the future.
Sneha, 13
Parsippany Hills High School - Morris Plains, NJ
Sneha is passionate about mental health and is dedicated to creating a more supportive environment for teens in her school and community. After witnessing how mental health struggles impact those around her, she joined the RISE team to raise awareness and promote healthier habits for teens. Sneha believes in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, and hopes to encourage open conversations about these critical issues. She is also an active Girl Scout, having completed her Bronze and Silver Award and currently working towards her Gold Award. Outside of academics, Sneha loves dancing to Jazz and Hiphop.
Sohi, 14
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School - Bridgewater, NJ
Sohi is a freshman at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School who is passionate about advocating for youth mental health. She believes that the rise of social media and social pressures add to the load of stress teenagers face and wants to focus on how young adults can cope with these issues. By joining the RISE Team, Sohi will learn to take initiative in solving this global issue and will be given a platform to spread this message at her own school. Sohi intends to join mental health and psychology-related clubs in high school where she will hold fundraisers and charity events to support her mission. Outside of RISE, Sohi is a member of the Somerset County Youth Council and volunteers around her community as she is dedicated to making a positive impact on her environment. Sohi is also part of the Forensics Speech & Debate team as well as being a writer of The Prowler, BRHS’s newspaper. In her free time, Sohi loves skiing, baking, hanging out with friends, and traveling around the world. Through RISE, Sohi will be able to promote the importance of mental well-being amongst her community.
Sophie, 15
Randolph High School - Randolph, NJ
Sophie has seen poor mental health affect the lives around her, and knows that without a proper support system, the consequences can be extremely dangerous. As a junior in high school, she aims to use this program and others to try and help people recover from their emotional struggles. When she's free, Sophie loves to travel, read historical nonfiction, and hike. She is fascinated with the brain and body, and hopes to pursue a future in biology and/or psychology.
Stuti, 17
Edison High School- Edison, NJ
Stuti, a senior at Edison High School, hopes to learn about mental health advocacy to help aid schools and communities around NJ, in addition to her own. Through her time in high school, she has seen a lack of conversation around mental health resources, which has pushed her to spear-head initiatives and gain knowledge in the field. Continually, through first-hand experience, Stuti has seen the impact of academic pressure on high school students, and she hopes to provide resources to help her mitigate the widespread impact academic stress can have on students. Stuti looks forward to implementing mental health initiatives within the school organizations she is a part of, which include the NJ Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Peacock Society (South Asian Club), Student Council, and Wellness club. Her hobbies include baking, exercising, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Tanvi, 17
Piscataway High School - Piscataway, NJ
Tanvi is a high school senior who is deeply passionate about advocacy, spreading awareness about mental health, and addressing overlooked conditions in health care. Throughout her time in high school, she has immensed herself in a wide range of activities, her main goal being to help anyone and to spread positivity. Tanvi yearns to be a doctor one day, wanting nothing but more to bring light to people's lives. She hopes to provide underserved communities and make a sustainable impact. Over the years, she's developed a deep passion for psychology and understanding why people act the way that they do. For two years, she would post "check-in forms" on her social media platforms to give her loved ones a place to reflect on how they are feeling. Listening to people has always been one of her favorite hobbies. Through her Girl Scout Gold Award Project: Renew You, Embrace You- a project dedicated to spreading awareness on overdose- she has fostered numerous conversations in her community. By serving on the Board of Education and having numerous leadership positions in a wide range of clubs, she has been able to use her platform for the betterment of the students. She is thrilled to serve on the RISE team and further expand her reach and passion for mental health through the program.
Vaishnavi, 17
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North - West Windsor, NJ
Vaishnavi is a senior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North. She is passionate about promoting mental health awareness and resources for individuals of all ages. As the President of her school's mental health club, HEALyu, and also as a volunteer with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), she actively contributes to advancing mental health initiatives. In addition to her mental health advocacy, Vaishnavi is the founder of the non-profit organization Clean Water New Jersey, which is centered around environmental sustainability, through which she strives to emphasize the profound link between environment and well-being. With a keen interest in neuroscience and psychology, Vaishnavi envisions a future where she can delve deeper into these fields. Joining the RISE team will enhance her appreciation of the importance of taking care of one’s mental health and will enable her to help more people on this topic.
Yashvi, 16
East Brunswick High School - East Brunswick, NJ
Yashvi, a junior at East Brunswick High School, is deeply passionate about the impact of mental health and social media on marginalized youth. As someone who had to rely on online spaces to come to terms with their identity, as a result of becoming socially disconnected during the pandemic, she recognizes that while social media can be negative, it can also be used in positive ways. Their personal struggles during this time opened their eyes to the hesitancy with which South Asian cultures view mental health in general, which continues to inspire them to greater promote the idea of mental wellbeing in their community. Besides being a relentless academic, she volunteers at a hospital, is Vice President of her local Leo Club, and likes to read and watch TV. They hope that being a member of the RISE Team will allow them to expand their knowledge to more effectively pursue community initiatives.
Vansh, 14
John P. Stevens High School - Edison, NJ
Vansh is a dedicated and passionate individual committed to making a positive impact on the world. With a profound concern for the environment, he is ready to take proactive steps to contribute to a more sustainable future. Vansh has participated in various eco-friendly initiatives, such as community clean-up projects, and strives to give back to the environment. In his free time, Vansh goes to the gym, reads, or plays basketball. As a RISE member, Vansh wants to start initiatives to create a club dedicated to mental health and well-being. Vansh is working on an article about mental and social issues with the Youth Medical Journal. He wants to create a RISE club at his high school, JP Stevens High School, and spread awareness in his school and community. Through RISE, he aims to foster a safe and welcoming space for students to share their experiences, access resources, and work together to promote mental and emotional wellness within the community. In the future, Vansh hopes to spread positive awareness in the community and pursue a career in medicine.
