Healthy Mind Science

Neurobiology and Physiology of Adolescent Depression: Insights from Undergraduate Researchers Morgan Johnson & Grace LaJoie

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, undergraduate researchers Grace LaJoie and Morgan Johnson share their journeys into mental health research, focusing on adolescent depression, stress regulation, and brain development. They discuss their innovative studies on hippocampal volume, autonomic nervous system, and the impact of stress, offering practical insights for parents, educators, and fellow researchers.
Discussion Topics include: 
How Grace & Morgan became interested in research
Adolescent depression and neurobiological risk factors
The role of hippocampal volume in depression
Stress exposure and its impact on youth mental health
Autonomic nervous system and depression prediction
Research process and challenges
Reflections on completing an Honors Thesis 
Connect with Grace LaJoie on LinkedIn  
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http://healthymindandmood.com/ 
 
 

Research on the Risks and Benefits of Social Media Use and Mental Health with Associate Professor and Pediatrician, Dr. Jason Nagata

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, we interview Dr. Jason Nagata, Pediatrician and Associate Professor at the University of California, San Francisco. 
We delve into the complex relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health, drawing insights from recent studies. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for parents, educators, and teens alike, as we navigate the digital landscape and evolving technologies together. We'll explore both the risks and benefits of social media, equipping you with knowledge to make informed decisions. Practical takeaways are shared for parents and educators who work with teens to understand risks, benefits, support open communication, and promote critical thinking. 
Studies discussed: 
Nagata JM, Otmar CD, Shim J, et al. Social Media Use and Depressive Symptoms During Early Adolescence. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e2511704. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11704
Nagata, J. M., Huang, O., Hur, J. O., Li, E. J., Helmer, C. K., Weinstein, E., & Moreno, M. A. (2024). Health Benefits of Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults. Current pediatrics reports, 13(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-025-00357-7
Follow Dr. Jason Nagata on LinkedIn
Check out the Family Media Plan from the American Academy of Pediatrics
UCSF Pediatrics 
Connect with host, Dr. Alicia Sepulveda on LinkedIn  
Follow the Center for Healthy Mind and Mood on LinkedIn  
http://healthymindandmood.com/  

Research to Understand the Complex Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Suicidality Among Youth with Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience PhD Student, Elisa Stern

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, we interview Elisa Stern, a PhD student in clinical psychology and neuroscience, about her research on the associations between cannabis use and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents. They discuss the complexities of mental health, addiction, and the impact of policy changes on youth. The conversation delves into the study's methodology, findings, and implications for parents and educators, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of substance use and mental health in young people.
Read the article: Stern, E. F., Ellingson, J. M., Schaefer, J. D., Hinckley, J. D., Stallings, M. C., Corley, R. P., Hopfer, C., Wall, T. L., & Rhee, S. H. (2025). Associations between cannabis use frequency and suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A clinical longitudinal sibling study. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 22, 100620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100620 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853225000380
Takeaways
-Elisa Stern's research is focused on understanding youth vulnerability to substance use and mental health issues.
-The study examines the relationship between cannabis use and suicidality in adolescents.
-Cannabis use is often treated as a moral issue rather than a public health concern.
-The study utilized a genetically informed design comparing siblings to control for shared vulnerabilities.
-Findings suggest that cannabis use does not independently predict suicidality in high-risk youth.
-Substance use patterns should be viewed in the context of broader behavioral vulnerabilities.
-Parents and educators should not oversimplify the risks associated with cannabis use.
-The relationship between cannabis use and suicidality is complex and influenced by various factors.
-Understanding the context of substance use is crucial for effective intervention.
-Future research is needed to explore the evolving landscape of substance use among adolescents.
Connect with guest, Elisa Stern on LinkedIn
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Follow the Center for Healthy Mind and Mood on LinkedIn  
http://healthymindandmood.com/

Research Understanding Executive Function and Depression in Young Adults with Quynh Nguyen

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, host Dr. Alicia Sepulveda speaks with PhD student Quynh Nguyen about the intricate relationship between executive functioning, stress generation, and depression in young adults. They explore how understanding these connections can inform strategies for prevention and intervention, particularly in the context of youth mental health. The conversation delves into the findings of Quynh's research study, which examines the mechanisms linking poor executive functioning to depression symptoms through stress generation and repetitive negative thinking. The discussion emphasizes the importance of teaching coping strategies and behavioral skills to help young people manage stress and improve their mental health outcomes.
Takeaways
Understanding risk factors for depression is crucial for prevention.
Reward learning is essential for maintaining positive behaviors.
Repetitive negative thinking is a significant predictor of depression.
Teaching coping strategies can mitigate the effects of poor executive functioning.
Interventions should focus on behavioral skills rather than cognitive training.
Young adults are particularly vulnerable to stress and mental health issues.
Stress controllability may influence how individuals perceive and react to stressors.
Early intervention is key to helping young people develop necessary skills.
The distinction between rumination and worry is important in understanding mental health.
To read the article: 
Nguyen, Q. D., Kaiser, R. H., & Snyder, H. R. (2025). Stress generation and subsequent repetitive negative thinking link poor executive functioning and depression. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 38(4), 394–408. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2025.2450308 
Connect with host, Dr. Alicia Sepulveda on LinkedIn 
Follow the Center for Healthy Mind and Mood on LinkedIn 
Website: Center for Healthy Mind and Mood 
 
 

Examining Stress, Risk, and Resilience of Mood Disorders in the Adolescent Brain with Neuroscientist Dr. Ambra Coccaro

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, we interview neuroscientist and researcher, Dr. Ambra Coccaro. Dr. Ambra Coccaro is a Post Doctoral Researcher at University of Colorado Boulder in the Institute of Cognitive Science and the RADD Lab (Research on Affective Disorders and Development).
Check out the study:
Coccaro, A., Cheng, Z., Ruzic, L., Moser, A. D., Jones, J., Peterson, E. C., Stern, E. F., Friedman, N. P., & Kaiser, R. H. (2025). Neurocognitive Biotypes of Risk and Resilience for Mood Disorders in Adolescents: Insights From Behavioral and Graph-Theoretic Network Markers. Biological psychiatry global open science, 5(6), 100563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100563 
Center for Healthy Mind and Mood website
Connect with the Center on LinkedIn 
Connect with host, Dr. Alicia Sepulveda 
Connect with guest, Dr. Ambra Coccaro 

Co-Design Research Study Elevating Youth Voice and Building Trust with Schools with Dr. Leah Teeters

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, Dr. Leah Teeters discusses her work which focuses on bridging the gap between research and practice in education. The conversation explores the importance of community involvement and co-designed research and the innovative Circles de Confianza study, which uses storytelling to enhance trust and belonging in schools. Dr. Teeters emphasizes the need for educators to include student voices in the decision-making process and highlights practical takeaways for parents and educators to support youth mental health and well-being.
Takeaways
The importance of translating research into practical applications for educators.
Building emotional resilience in young people is crucial.
Community involvement enhances educational practices.
Students' voices are essential in shaping educational policies.
Trust and belonging are foundational for student well-being.
Storytelling can be a powerful tool for engagement.
High expectations from educators positively impact students.
To read the study: Teeters, L. P., Trejo, B., Gleason, E., Zigarelli, J. C., Shedro, M., Alvarez, A., & Schultz, K. (2022). Circles de Confianza: Promoting the Well-being of Latine Youth via Multimodal Testimonio. Journal of Latinos and Education, 22(5), 2151–2163. https://doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2022...
Follow the Center for Healthy Mind and Mood on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest podcasts and research promoting emotional resilience and healthy mood in young people. 
Check out the Center for Healthy Mind Science website
Connect with Dr. Leah Teeters & Dr. Alicia Sepulveda on LinkedIn

Mindfulness Reduces College Student Anxiety, with Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience PhD student, Amelia Moser

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, Dr. Alicia Sepulveda speaks with Amelia Moser, a PhD student in clinical psychology and neuroscience, about her research on mood disorders and anxiety in adolescents and young adults. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, the design and findings of a study on mindfulness and behavioral activation, and the practical implications for educators and parents. The conversation emphasizes the importance of integrating simple mindfulness practices into daily life to improve mental health outcomes for young people.
 
Takeaways
Amelia Moser is a PhD student focused on mood disorders.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted college students' mental health.
Mindfulness practices can be simple yet effective for improving mental health.
The study showed that small changes can lead to significant improvements in anxiety.
Intolerance of uncertainty is a key factor in anxiety during stressful times.
Mindfulness can be integrated into daily routines easily.
Modeling mindfulness behaviors is crucial for educators and parents.
The study used a pre-registered design to ensure scientific integrity.
Participants who engaged more frequently in mindfulness activities saw better outcomes.
Future research will explore additional interventions for mood disorders.
To dive deeper into the study: 
Moser, A.D., Neilson, C., Peterson, E.C. et al. Self-Guided Mindfulness Reduces College Student Anxiety: A Scalable, Preregistered Pilot Study. Mindfulness 15, 1362–1374 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02364-z
Connect with Amelia Moser on LinkedIn
Connect with Alicia Sepulveda on LinkedIn
Check out the Center for Healthy Mind and Mood at University of Colorado Boulder
 

Bias in AI, Digital Mental Health Tools, and Educating Young People about AI: Interview with Computer Scientist and Engineer, Dr. Theodora Chaspari

In this episode of Healthy Minds Science, Dr. Alicia Sepulveda speaks with Dr. Theodora Ciasparri about the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mental health. They explore the implications of demographic bias in machine learning algorithms, particularly in the context of speech-based models used for digital health. The conversation highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the challenges of integrating AI into mental health treatment, and the need for education around AI for young people. Dr. Ciasparri shares insights from her research on socio-demographic disparities in mental health outcomes and emphasizes the necessity of user-centric design in developing effective digital health technologies.
Articles Discussed: 
Timmons, A. C., Duong, J. B., Simo Fiallo, N., Lee, T., Vo, H. P. Q., Ahle, M. W., Comer, J. S., Brewer, L. C., Frazier, S. L., & Chaspari, T. (2023). A Call to Action on Assessing and Mitigating Bias in Artificial Intelligence Applications for Mental Health. Perspectives on psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 18(5), 1062–1096. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221134490
Yang, M., El-Attar, A. A., & Chaspari, T. (2024). Deconstructing demographic bias in speech-based machine learning models for digital health. Frontiers in digital health, 6, 1351637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1351637
Takeaways
Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances understanding of human behavior.
Demographic bias in AI can lead to disparities in healthcare outcomes.
Speech characteristics can indicate mental health conditions like depression.
Digital health technologies can improve real-world patient monitoring.
AI algorithms are influenced by human decision-making processes.
Education about AI is crucial for young people.
Ethical considerations are essential in deploying digital health technologies.
Machine learning models may not accurately reflect demographic differences.
User input is vital in the development of AI technologies.
The digital footprint of youth is expanding rapidly.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Healthy Minds Science and Guest Background02:51 Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Human Behavior Research05:50 Understanding Demographic Bias in Machine Learning07:00 Exploring Speech-Based Machine Learning Models09:51 The Role of Digital Health in Mental Health Monitoring12:46 Implications of Socio-Demographic Disparities in AI16:00 The Importance of Education in AI for Young People18:37 Future Directions in AI and Digital Health Research
Keywords
mental health, AI, machine learning, demographic bias, digital health, speech analysis, youth education, interdisciplinary research, emotional resilience, healthcare disparities
Connect on LinkedIn: 
Dr. Theodora Chaspari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaspari/ 
Dr. Alicia Sepulveda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-sepulveda/
Center for Healthy Mind and Mood at CU Boulder: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mind-and-mood/ 
 

The State and Future of Youth Mental Health and Depression Research with Clinical Psychologist and Neuroscientist, Dr. Roselinde Kaiser

In this episode of Healthy Mind Science, host Dr. Alicia Sepulveda engages with Dr. Rosi Kaiser to explore the complexities of youth mental health, particularly focusing on depression. Dr. Rosi Kaiser is an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Neuroscientist, and Director of the Center for Healthy Mind at University of Colorado Boulder. In this episode, they discuss the importance of emotional wellness, the need for early intervention, and the value of incorporating lived experiences into research. Dr. Kaiser emphasizes the necessity of personalized treatment approaches and shares practical strategies for parents and educators to support young people. The conversation also highlights the future directions of mental health research and the innovative programs being developed at the Center for Healthy Mind and Mood. 
Takeaways 
-Emotional wellness is a cornerstone of overall health. 
-Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. 
-Young people are at heightened risk for depression during adolescence. 
-Effective early intervention can have lifelong benefits. 
-Complexity in mental health requires interdisciplinary solutions. 
-Lived experience provides valuable insights into mental health priorities. 
-Personalization in treatment is crucial for effectiveness. 
-Regular sleep, physical activity, and nutrition are foundational for mental health. 
-Social connections are vital for adolescents' emotional well-being. 
-Research should prioritize real-world impact alongside discovery. 
To learn more about the Center: https://www.colorado.edu/center/mindandmood/
Connect with Dr. Alicia Sepulveda on LinkedIn 
Connect with Dr. Roselinde Kaiser on LinkedIn
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