Adolescent Health Initiative

05/27/2026

AHI's Senior Program Specialist Lauren Vasquez, MS, CHES is a member of the youthink National Advisory Board through Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and wanted to pass along this exciting opportunity:

🌟 The youthink Incubator Program is a 9-month innovation program for teams of youth-serving professionals and young people from organizations across the United States and its territories. Teams use design thinking to address complex challenges in adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health.

🚀 Teams will:
🔹 Learn and apply design thinking and other innovation principles
🔹 Collaborate with peers and experts to develop creative, real-world solutions
🔹 Receive $60,000 in funding

🔗 Learn more at www.youthink.health/incubator-program/. Applications will close June 5 or when 40 applications are received, whichever comes first.

💡 Don’t miss this chance to make a difference!

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youthink Incubator Program: Applications Open on May 22! Join a 9-month innovation program to develop creative solutions for complex challenges in adolescent & young adult sexual & reproductive health. Does this sound like you? You're passionate about adolescent & young adult sexual & reproductive health. You want hands-on innovation training, expert coaching & $60,000 in funding. You're interested in solving a complex challenge in your community. You live in the United States & its territories. Apply for the September 2026 cohort! Web: youthink.health. Email: [email protected]

05/26/2026

The next young person helping us at the 2026 Connection Session is Annika Moran. Annika is 25 years old and was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She studied Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan, earning a bachelor's degree in 2023. She enjoys volunteering, birding and playing video games.

Annika joins a group of fellow young people to provide their perspectives and lived experiences on mental health and navigating the U.S. health care system as an adolescent.

We're looking forward to joining you all in less than a week!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Annika Moran, she/her, Youth Voice Panelist. A photo of Annika wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt. Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.

05/22/2026

We're still buzzing from our time at the 2026 Youth Mental Health Action Day! ACMH - Association for Children's Mental Health (Michigan), Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network and Youth United brought together an amazing community to address a wide range of issues, and the day featured a special appearance by Governor Gretchen Whitmer! We're proud to be in a state that is supporting our young people on their journey to mental wellness.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
IMAGE 1 reads Youth Mental Health Action Day. A photo of AHI's Training & Outreach Coordinator, Isabelle Birt (she/her) sitting behind a table filled with AHI swag. Isabelle describes herself as having pale skin, brown eyes, dark brown hair, and wide-framed glasses.
IMAGE 2 shows an audience sitting at tables in a large room. The screen in front says Welcome to Youth Mental Health Action Day 2026!
IMAGE 3 shows a person speaking into a microphone in front of a presentation with the title Special Musical Guests.

05/22/2026

Introducing our first youth voice panelist for the 2026 Connection Session, Chance Whitney!

Chance is a 22-year-old who has struggled against the odds their whole life. Now ready to move onto the next chapter after overcoming their greatest challenges thus far, Chance is taking that leap of faith towards helping themselves and the world around them through their empathy and creativity. Chance’s hope is that their message and new perspective is found by those when they need it most.

In addition to contributing their voice to the youth panel, Chance is participating in AHI's AMPLIFY Youth Art Exhibition! Attendees to the 2026 Conference on Adolescent Health will get a chance to witness their stunning artwork.

We can't wait to hear what Chance and the rest of the panel has to share on June 1!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Chance Whitney, they/them, Youth Voice Panelist. A photo of Chance smiling in front of a brick wall in a tan collared shirt . Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.

05/19/2026

In 2023, only 27% of Asian people in the U.S. had ever been tested for HIV, well below the national average of 37% (AIDSVu, CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System). This , let's recognize the structural barriers and systemic inequities that drive racial disparities in HIV testing, treatment, and care.

For no-cost trainings on adolescent sexual health, risk screening, and cultural responsiveness, visit our resources below.

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National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Illustrations of flowers and clouds. AHI's logo.

05/19/2026

"Just a third of parents report that their teen had one-on-one time with a health care provider during their most recent checkup, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health."

What are young people missing when they don't receive one-on-one time with their health care providers? And how can we partner with caregivers to ensure adolescents have this safe, confidential space?

Read more:

While most parents say it’s important for health care providers to speak privately with teenagers during their medical visits, far fewer are putting that belief into practice, according to a new University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

05/18/2026

😅 We had some technical hiccups that were causing problems for registrants for our upcoming Connection Session. We're so sorry! Rest assured, the deadline to register is still tonight at midnight EDT. If you run into any problems, reach out to us at [email protected]

Register here at the link below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. We're sorry! Despite technical difficulties, REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN until midnight EDT tonight! Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.

05/18/2026

Today is your LAST CHANCE to register for the 2026 Connection Session! If you need a final push to join this lifesaving event, why not take a moment to get to know AHI's beloved medical director, Dr. Terry Bravender, MD, MPH? Dr. Bravender will be facilitating the youth panel discussion on experiencing mental health crisis in the U.S. health care system.

Dr. Bravender is a University of Michigan alumnus who trained at Duke and Boston Children’s, earned an MPH at Harvard, and returned to Ann Arbor in 2014 to found U-M’s Division of Adolescent Medicine. He is the David S. Rosen, MD Collegiate Professor and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, and holds leadership roles in Pediatrics, the Mott Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program, and serves as AHI’s very own Medical Director.

The deadline to register is midnight EDT tonight! Don't miss out: www.MichMed.org/AHIConnects

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Terry Bravender, MD, MPH. A photo of Dr. Bravender wearing a blue shirt and striped pink tie in front of a blue background. Dr. Bravender describes himself as having brown eyes, white skin, and greying hair. Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.

05/15/2026

Next up we have our final presenter for the 2026 Connection Session, Dr. Nasuh Malas, MD, MPH, DFAACAP!

Dr. Malas received his doctor of medicine and master of public health from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He completed combined training in Pediatrics, General Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Malas currently holds a dual appointment in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Department of Pediatrics.

He previously served as the Director of Pediatric Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital from 2014-2023. Dr. Malas serves as the Division Director and Service Chief for the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Malas currently serves at the principal investigator for the Youth Su***de Prevention Initiative Utilizing a Zero Su***de Framework at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Join Dr. Malas and the rest of our community for a workshop on su***de prevention skills and engagement strategies in health care settings. Register before the deadline this upcoming Monday: www.MichMed.org/AHIConnects

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Nasuh Malas, M.D., M.P.H., DFAACAP. A photo of Dr. Malas wearing a suit coat in front of a floral design. Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.

05/14/2026

Looking for more trainings for ? The youth advisory council at the Washington State Department of Health created a new, no-cost training on adolescent loneliness. Inspired by AHI's Spark trainings, the training is jam-packed with insights and case scenarios, allowing youth-supporting professionals to better respond to young people facing isolation.

Check out this awesome, youth-led project in the comments!

05/14/2026

Introducing Syma Khan, MSW, MPH! Syma will be featured at the 2026 Connection Session as part of the team presenting From Knowledge to Practice: Su***de Prevention Skills for Pediatric Healthcare Providers.

Syma is the Lead Social Worker for the Child Psychiatry Hospital Section and a Clinical Social Worker on the Pediatric Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry Service. She also serves as the Project Manager for the Youth Su***de Prevention Initiative at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, where she leads efforts to implement the Zero Su***de Framework across pediatric care settings.

Syma brings extensive experience in hospital-based psychiatric services, including consultation, inpatient psychiatry, and emergency. Her areas of expertise include supporting children and families with complex medical, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental needs, navigating mental health systems, and developing effective safety plans

Registration for the 2026 Connection Session ends next Monday! Make sure you don't miss Syma and our other expert presenters: www.MichMed.org/AHIConnects

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Syma Khan, MSW, MPH, she/her, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. A photo of Syma wearing University of Michigan apparel in the U-M football stadium. Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.