Child and Youth Healthy Futures Lab
Lead investigator: Carla Hilario
Our lab aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of children and youth. We study the structural and social determinants of youth mental health and mental health care inequities, with a focus on the needs of underserved and equity-deserving young people, and use research evidence to inform and advance equity-oriented interventions.
We use a range of research approaches such as mixed methods, administrative health data analysis, qualitative description, critical design methods, and concept mapping. Our projects are informed by youth participatory action approaches, integrated knowledge translation, and an intersectional lens.
Current projects are examining associations between racial discrimination experiences and adolescent mental health; exploring youth perspectives and experiences of racism in relation to healthcare access, use, and quality; and engaging Indigenous and newcomer youth in dialogues about truths and actions needed for anti-racism and reconciliation futures.
Reports
Current Lab Members
Mischa Taylor, Research Coordinator
Mischa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology and a Master’s degree in Community Engagement from the University of Alberta. Mischa has been involved in community-based projects exploring newcomers’ psychosocial adaptation, youth mental health, and more.
Pavan nahal, Research Assistant
Pavan is a Graduate Academic Assistant at UBCO’s Child and Youth Healthy Futures lab. Pavan supports participant recruitment and data collection. Alongside her research experience, Pavan is completing her Master of Social Work (Clinical) at the University of British Columbia.
Jacklyn Awotwi-Pratt, research assistant
Jacklyn is a fourth-year Bachelor of Science Psychology major. Her research interests include mental health, emotions, and hand gestures.
Zerrin Akter Anni, research assistant
Zerrin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and is completing her Master of Arts in IGS—Power, Conflict, and Ideas at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. She works as a graduate teaching assistant at the Department of History and Sociology at UBCO. With a strong foundation in qualitative research, Zerrin studies gender-based violence (GBV), intimate partner violence (IPV), media and crime, discrimination in health sectors, supporting victims of violence, and peace and conflict resolutions.
Moha Chaturvedi, research assistant
Moha (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She is a graduate research assistant with the Investigating Racism in Mental Health Care project. She is interested in exploring the impact of racism on access to healthcare as a researcher.
stacie smith, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Stacie is a Master’s Student in Curriculum Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University, with a background in Kinesiology and Education. Her passion for working with youth has led her to be the Co-Executive Director of the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health and works at the YWCA Halifax as the Youth Programs Lead. She is passionate about youth mental health and youth engagement.
meg pearle, research assistant
Meg is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts Psychology student who is passionate about mental wellbeing, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. Outside of research, Meg works with a youth crisis line and UBCO’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response office.
lucas quesada, Knowledge mobilization assistant
Lucas is a fourth-year Psychology student. His research interests include skill learning, performance psychology, and cognitive decision making, with a focus on understanding and enhancing youth mental health. Lucas also works as a youth soccer coach, applying his knowledge of psychology to support and develop young athletes.
yassin yunis, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Yassin is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at RedFish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing and is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at UBC Okanagan. Yassin is passionate about immigrant and refugee health and has dedicated his graduate studies to exploring refugee youths’ mental health challenges. Yassin’s thesis focuses on understanding and improving mental health care access for this vulnerable population.
Emily Rabooga, Research Assistant
Emily Kaakyo Rubooga is an MA student in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies. Following her undergraduate degree in social science, she worked in the non-profit sector in Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda, supporting organizations in fundraising, designing interventions and campaign strategies, and reporting on their impact. She has over seven years of experience overseeing human rights programming, research, and advocacy, focusing on child protection and care, maternal, adolescent, and child health outcomes, and governance. Recently, Emily has led efforts to leverage insights from applied behavioral science to improve social intervention design and delivery and communication strategies. Emily’s research focuses on using framing as a behavioral change tool to build effective communication and engagement strategies amid increasing polarization. She explores how integrating frames, values, social identities, narratives, and metaphors can create effective communication and engagement approaches that build public trust and drive action on socio-political issues.