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Young Researchers Honored During the 2026 Youth Mental Health Academy Capstone Awards
Now in its fourth year, the Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA) at the Child Mind Institute welcomed more than 400 high school students this summer. For five weeks, they engaged in hands-on learning, career exploration, mentorship, and professional development.
Created in partnership with the state of California, YMHA is designed to expand access to mental health career pathways — with a focus on young people from communities historically underrepresented in the mental health workforce. Since launching in 2023, the program has served more than 3,000 students.
Students in the 2026–2027 cohort developed capstone projects focused on mental health topics that matter to them and their communities. From the impact of social media and screen time to the relationship between identity, economic background, and mental health outcomes, they brought their own questions, perspectives, and experiences to their research.
On the final day of the program, students presented their capstone projects to an audience of their peers, mentors, and program staff. Following the presentations, students and their projects were selected for special recognition in six categories: community impact, research excellence, innovation, communication, collaboration, and leadership.
Meet the 2026 YMHA Capstone Award Winners
Community Impact Award
Growing Up Too Soon: The Impact of Parentification on Relationship and Emotional Well-Being
Zamya Slack, Daniela Velazquez, Brenda Ramirez, Amy Marroquin, and Brandon Mares Lopez
YMHA Site: Compton College
Research Excellence Award
Siobhan Walsh, Samian Syed, Sinthia Salcedo, Sn’cer Wannamaker, and Sophia Park
YMHA Site: Virtual
Online Mental Health Resources and Underserved Communities
Carl Aragones, Chloe Tan, Arturo Perez, and Natalia Martinez
YMHA Site: Virtual
Innovation Award
The No-Sleep Club: How Does Lack of Sleep Affect the Youth in Low-Income Communities
Ivery Norman, Jaide Hood, Jocelyn Segovia, and Jackson McGhee
YMHA Site: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Excellence in Communication Award
More Than a Game: Investigating the Effects of High School Sports Team Bonding on Teen Mental Health
Jayden Tcheyacnou, Mattox Williams, Landen Cassel, and Joseph Malana
YMHA Site: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Collaboration Award
Positive vs. Negative Peer Pressure: How It Affects Teen Mental Health
Erica Mandujano, Samaria Ramirez, Prevailer Umejesi, and Zhiyah White
YMHA Site: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Student Leadership Awards
Devin Bennett
YMHA Site: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Mercy Quezada
YMHA Site: Compton College
Julian Sanchez
YMHA Site: Virtual
Explore award-winning capstone projects from previous YMHA cohorts.
While the Summer Academy has come to an end, the YMHA journey continues for these students. Throughout the school year, they will participate in mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, and other programming designed to build on their summer experience as well as support their academic and career development.
The mental health field needs diverse voices and professionals who understand the communities they serve. YMHA gives young people the opportunity to explore their interests, build meaningful connections, and begin to see themselves as part of the field.
