As leaders in psychiatric research, we’re working to unlock the next generation of treatment for mental health disorders in young people. In collaboration with faculty from the Departments of Psychiatry at Columbia University and Weill Cornell Medicine, we strive to deepen our understanding of mental health conditions and transform care for young people everywhere.
Our research
The Center for Youth Mental Health leverages research to advance our understanding of the root causes of mental health conditions in young adults with an eye to transforming lives today and tomorrow.
Changing young lives
Clinical trials
Patients of all ages have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials exploring the biology of psychiatric conditions or evaluating potentially more effective treatments. Recent clinical studies have focused on anxiety and other disorders including bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Learn what clinical trials we are currently conducting:
Participating in a trial
If there is a clinical trial currently underway that would be of benefit, a member of our staff will fully explain the study to you and your child in a process called informed consent to be sure you completely understand the study goals, design and what is required of participants. Once the details of the study are known, you and your child can decide on whether to participate. The decision to enroll in a clinical trial is entirely voluntary. If you sign up and change your mind, you can withdraw at any time.
Our laboratory research
Despite advances in neuroscience, much remains to be discovered about the biology of the brain and the fundamental mechanisms underlying psychiatric conditions. Laboratory investigators at Columbia University and Weill Cornell Medicine are conducting game-changing research to glean new insights into the biology of the mind. The findings generated by their studies may lead to clinical trials of more effective therapies that help patients with psychiatric disorders not only at NewYork-Presbyterian and the Center for Youth Mental Health but around the world.
Learn more about our research labs, projects and publications here:
The Shaffer Scholars Program in Child Psychiatry Research
Our Shaffer Scholars Program in Child Psychiatry Research is an extraordinary opportunity for child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) residents in the NewYork-Presbyterian Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program to pursue a uniquely substantive research pathway. The Shaffer Scholars Program addresses a critical shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists who establish research as a significant part of their careers. Clinical training is supported by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), and research training is funded by a National Institute of Mental Health R25 (research education program) grant and supplemental philanthropic support.
Shaffer Scholars receive substantial targeted research mentorship from world-renowned faculty at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and at Weill Cornell Medicine. With our multi-institutional partnership, we draw on an incredible breadth and depth of research expertise and infrastructure, supporting Shaffer Scholars’ diverse research interests ranging from molecular neurobiology to implementation science.
Recognizing the importance of clinically grounded research, the Schaffer Scholarship Program extends the traditional two-year child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship to three years. This optimizes both clinical training and research training. Shaffer Scholars split their second year of clinical training across two years, receiving 50% protected time for research in both years. Comprehensive mentorship and individualized research experiences prepare Shaffer Scholars for successful career trajectories as physician-researchers. Advantages of this three-year schedule also include supplemental financial support during the second and third years of training and key guidance in developing research grant and career development award applications.
Your support changes lives
Your donation will help young people and thei families transform their lives, while helping us research and develop new treatments to reach even more youth affected by mental health issues.
Get immediate help
SAMHSA helpline SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year mental health treatment referral. 800-662-HELP (4357)
Teen Link Teen Link is a confidential and anonymous helpline for teens. Call or text between the hours of 6:00pm - 9:30pm.
866-833-6546 866-833-6546