JED Partners With The University of Massachusetts Medical School To Better Understand Emotional Health Challenges Of Young Professionals

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Mar 07, 2017, 11:19 ET

NEW YORK, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jed Foundation (JED) today announced a project to improve understanding of the emotional health challenges faced by young adults as they transition from college to the workforce. JED and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School's Systems and Psychosocial Advances Research Center (SPARC) will work together to review the literature and survey college seniors, young professionals, employers, and college administrators about the issues young adults face during this critical transitional period, as well as what efforts are currently in place among colleges and employers to prepare and support young adults through this important phase of their lives.

From comparing job offers with fellow students to fears and uncertainty about the future, young adults can encounter an overwhelming amount of stress as they prepare for graduation and ultimately entering the workforce.

"Graduating from college and starting your first job are two major life milestones," said John MacPhee, JED Chief Executive Officer. "This transition is a time of significant change for students as they leave the structure and supports of college. We believe this effort will help inform and guide schools and employers to assist young adults in navigating through this critical juncture in their lives."

Once a student graduates from college and lands their first job, the importance of emotional well-being must remain a priority. Understanding the issues young adults face is an important step in providing the necessary support to help them thrive in their new environment. This is particularly relevant for those with pre-existing mental health conditions who would benefit from guidance in planning for and transitioning their care.

"The college-to-career transition is a critical developmental period for young adults that has received limited attention in the literature," notes Kathleen Biebel, UMass Associate Professor of Psychiatry and the study's lead investigator. "College seniors and graduates are taking on new responsibilities and obligations, which can have a profound effect on their emotional well-being, and lay the groundwork for a graduate's adult life trajectory. We are thrilled to be working with JED to bring attention to this important period in the lives of young adults."

The results of the research will be announced later this year. This research has been made possible by a grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. as well as support from the Bruce C. Abrams Foundation.

About JED

JED is a national nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programming and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults; and we're encouraging community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health.

Learn more at jedfoundation.org. Check out our programs including: JED Campus (jedcampus.org), ULifeline (ulifeline.org), Half of Us (halfofus.com), Love is Louder (loveislouder.com), and Set to Go (settogo.org).

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About UMass Medical School's SPARC and Transitions RTC

The Systems & Psychosocial Advances Research Center (SPARC) is part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Department of Psychiatry, and is a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Research Center of Excellence. SPARC faculty and staff are a multidisciplinary group, with a long track record of conducting public sector mental health services research, knowledge translation, and dissemination activities.

The Transitions Research & Training Center (RTC) is housed within SPARC. Its mission is to promote the participation of young adults with serious mental health conditions as students, workers, and professionals. The tools of research and knowledge translation are used in partnership with this at risk population to achieve this mission. The communications division of SPARC and RTC provides extensive resources on supports and interventions through its websites and social media.