About the Lazos Lab
Beyond research, Lazos Lab is a space for student learning, mentorship, and collaboration. We actively engage students in all aspects of our work鈥攆rom research design to community partnerships and dissemination鈥攆ostering the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and advocates for mental health equity.
Our Lab Goals
- To reduce disparities in access to mental health services and suicide prevention for adolescents.
- To advance research that intervenes early in the suicide ideation continuum.聽
- To build sustainable, community-based, and innovative approaches (e.g., task-shifting) for suicide prevention
- To mentor and train the next generation of culturally responsive, equity-driven researchers and clinicians.
- To strengthen ties between 艾可直播 College and the communities the lab serves.
What Makes the Lazos Lab Special?
Culturally Grounded Mission
The lab鈥檚 focus on Hispanic adolescents and its use of the Spanish word 鈥渓azos鈥� to frame its mission highlights a deep cultural sensitivity and commitment to equity. This culturally grounded approach sets the lab apart in the field of adolescent mental health and suicide.
Emphasis on Relational Ties
The lab鈥檚 conceptual foundation鈥攕trengthening connections between adolescents, families, and communities鈥攊s a unique framework that informs both research and practice.
Community-Engaged Methods
Expertise in Photovoice and innovative approaches, such as task-shifting, allows the lab to generate contextually relevant insights and empower participants as co-creators of knowledge.
Focus on Mental Health Equity and Suicide Prevention
The lab鈥檚 dual emphasis on mental health and suicide prevention鈥攅specially among inner city adolescents鈥攁ddresses urgent public health needs.
Clinical and Research Integration
The PI brings years of clinical experience in youth crisis intervention into an innovative and rigorous research agenda.
Mentorship and Training
Strong emphasis on professional development and student mentorship across research, community partnerships, and dissemination practices fosters the development of future leaders in mental health and social work.
Collaborative Culture
The lab values respect, transparency, self-care, and collaboration as essential to meaningful research and community impact.