Adolescent Health Initiative

06/05/2026

Save the date for AHI's upcoming virtual training! A Harm Reduction Approach to Youth Anxiety and Substance Use will take place July 28, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT. Join experts as they explore current trends in youth anxiety and alcohol and cannabis use, examine the mechanisms that link them—including self-medication, shared risk factors, and developmental context—and consider how stigma and access to care shape young people's help-seeking behavior.

Continuing education credits will be available! For full details, visit the 🔗 below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
A Harm Reduction Approach to Youth Anxiety and Substance Use. A virtual training for youth-supporting professionals. SAVE THE DATE: July 28, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT. An illustration of a heart in a shield. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.

06/04/2026

We're flipping the script on how youth with special health care needs are represented—and you can be involved! We're looking for Michigan youth who identify as having a physical disability and/or health condition to participate in a photo shoot. We'll be creating an inclusive stock photo gallery which will be available at no-cost to promote better representation of young people with disabilities.

Participants will be compensated with $50 for their participation. For more details or to get involved, contact [email protected]

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
IMAGE 1 reads Be Seen. Be Heard. Be You! We’re recruiting Michigan youth with special health care needs for a paid opportunity! An illustration of three youth smiling. One uses a wheelchair and the other two have prostheses. AHI's logo.
IMAGE 2 reads Our latest project! AHI is exploring how Michigan providers and schools can better support the mental health of youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) and their caregivers. Part of the project will create inclusive stock photography that centers YSHCN in health care settings. An illustration of a large group of people of varying levels of ability.
IMAGE 3 reads The photo shoot. Thursday, June 18
6-8 p.m. EDT
The Corner Health Center
47 N Huron St,
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Participants will receive a $50 stipend for their participation!
A photo of the sign for the Corner Health Center.
IMAGE 4 reads Eligibility requirements.
Youth ages 12-26 years old
Michigan resident or attending a university in Michigan
Fluent in English
Identifies as having a physical disability and/or health condition.
Intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disabilities are not included for this project.
An illustration of a young person in a wheelchair giving a thumbs up.
IMAGE 5 reads Ready to get Involved? Please contact [email protected]. An illustration of four young people of varying abilities.

06/03/2026

"U.S. teens report far less anabolic steroid use than they did two decades ago, but creatine use has risen rapidly in recent years...Combined with declining perceptions of steroid harm and slightly softer disapproval of steroid use, the findings suggest teens may be growing more accepting of muscle-enhancing products, including legal supplements and potentially steroids.

Interesting research on adolescent perceptions and use of muscle enhancers from the University of Michigan School of Nursing and University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. Amid the rise of "looksmaxxing" and other body image-focused social media trends, there are also important distinctions in the data by gender.

Read more:

U.S. teens report far less anabolic steroid use than they did two decades ago, but creatine use has risen rapidly in recent years, according to a new University of Michigan study.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

We're so grateful for everyone who came together yesterday as part of our 2026 Connection Session. Between our incredible speakers, inspiring youth panelists, dedicated venue staff, and tireless AHI team, we were reminded that, despite the painful realities of youth su***de, there is hope to be found in the committed adolescent health professionals doing the work to save lives.

And to paraphrase one of our youth panelists, hope is what keeps us going 💜💙

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Recognize, Connect, Support. Thank you! A photo of a large auditorium space with people seated at tables, watching a presentation. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.

06/01/2026

🌟Registration is now open for ! From immersive experiences and workshops to a youth-led art exhibition on adolescent health, we have so much planned for our community. Act now to join us and secure Early Bird pricing!

For full details, including the most current continuing education credits, visit our Conference page - 🔗 in comments!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Register now. 2026 Conference on Adolescent Health. Two ways to attend: Online: November 2, In-person: November 6-7, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI. A photo of Detroit's skyline over the river. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine.

05/27/2026

AHI's Senior Program Specialist Lauren Vasquez, MS, CHES is a member of the youthink National Advisory Board through Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and wanted to pass along this exciting opportunity:

🌟 The youthink Incubator Program is a 9-month innovation program for teams of youth-serving professionals and young people from organizations across the United States and its territories. Teams use design thinking to address complex challenges in adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health.

🚀 Teams will:
🔹 Learn and apply design thinking and other innovation principles
🔹 Collaborate with peers and experts to develop creative, real-world solutions
🔹 Receive $60,000 in funding

🔗 Learn more at www.youthink.health/incubator-program/. Applications will close June 5 or when 40 applications are received, whichever comes first.

💡 Don’t miss this chance to make a difference!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

youthink Incubator Program: Applications Open on May 22! Join a 9-month innovation program to develop creative solutions for complex challenges in adolescent & young adult sexual & reproductive health. Does this sound like you? You're passionate about adolescent & young adult sexual & reproductive health. You want hands-on innovation training, expert coaching & $60,000 in funding. You're interested in solving a complex challenge in your community. You live in the United States & its territories. Apply for the September 2026 cohort! Web: youthink.health. Email: [email protected]

05/26/2026

The next young person helping us at the 2026 Connection Session is Annika Moran. Annika is 25 years old and was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She studied Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan, earning a bachelor's degree in 2023. She enjoys volunteering, birding and playing video games.

Annika joins a group of fellow young people to provide their perspectives and lived experiences on mental health and navigating the U.S. health care system as an adolescent.

We're looking forward to joining you all in less than a week!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Annika Moran, she/her, Youth Voice Panelist. A photo of Annika wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt. Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.

05/22/2026

We're still buzzing from our time at the 2026 Youth Mental Health Action Day! ACMH - Association for Children's Mental Health (Michigan), Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network and Youth United brought together an amazing community to address a wide range of issues, and the day featured a special appearance by Governor Gretchen Whitmer! We're proud to be in a state that is supporting our young people on their journey to mental wellness.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
IMAGE 1 reads Youth Mental Health Action Day. A photo of AHI's Training & Outreach Coordinator, Isabelle Birt (she/her) sitting behind a table filled with AHI swag. Isabelle describes herself as having pale skin, brown eyes, dark brown hair, and wide-framed glasses.
IMAGE 2 shows an audience sitting at tables in a large room. The screen in front says Welcome to Youth Mental Health Action Day 2026!
IMAGE 3 shows a person speaking into a microphone in front of a presentation with the title Special Musical Guests.

05/22/2026

Introducing our first youth voice panelist for the 2026 Connection Session, Chance Whitney!

Chance is a 22-year-old who has struggled against the odds their whole life. Now ready to move onto the next chapter after overcoming their greatest challenges thus far, Chance is taking that leap of faith towards helping themselves and the world around them through their empathy and creativity. Chance’s hope is that their message and new perspective is found by those when they need it most.

In addition to contributing their voice to the youth panel, Chance is participating in AHI's AMPLIFY Youth Art Exhibition! Attendees to the 2026 Conference on Adolescent Health will get a chance to witness their stunning artwork.

We can't wait to hear what Chance and the rest of the panel has to share on June 1!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
2026 Connection Session. Chance Whitney, they/them, Youth Voice Panelist. A photo of Chance smiling in front of a brick wall in a tan collared shirt . Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Su***de Prevention. Monday June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT. Logos for AHI and University of Michigan Health.