CARE Lab

at the University of Oregon

Exploring what we care about

Adolescence is a time when youth are figuring out what they care about; what feels rewarding, meaningful, and worth pursuing. For some young people, that process is disrupted and they may feel less pleasure or motivation, or begin to hear or see things that feel confusing or hard to explain — experiences others around them do not seem to share. These experiences can be early signs that something more is going on and understanding those experiences is what we do at the CARE Lab (Changes in Adolescent Risk and Emotions Lab) at the University of Oregon.

A message to youth and families who are struggling:

If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health challenges, you are not alone. These experiences can feel isolating, especially when they are hard for others to understand — whether you are the one going through it or watching someone you care about go through it. You do not have to face this alone. Reach out to us to learn more about our research, and/or visit “Resources” for brief and long-term support options.