University of Rhode Island receives $1.5M for youth mental health innovation hub

Uri mental health innovation center - the University Of Rhode Island (uri) will establish the uri youth mental health innovation hub, a 12-month artificial intelligence (ai)-enhanced initiative serving Washington county, Rhode Island, population approximately 130,000, with publicly available resources expected to extend statewide. The project will train 100 unduplicated youth-serving professionals from education, behavioral health, primary care, schools, social service agencies, and community organizations to translate emerging mental health data and evidence into practice. Within 90 days, an interactive dashboard will integrate at least 4 public or partner data sources to identify trends and community needs. Three expert-reviewed, ai-assisted toolkits will address anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention/postvention, and 3 multidisciplinary learning collaboratives will train practitioners to interpret data, implement evidence-based strategies, and adapt interventions. All ai-generated products will undergo expert interdisciplinary review before dissemination under a human-in-the-loop governance model. At least 75% of participants are expected to report increased knowledge or confidence using data and evidence in practice. Quarterly stakeholder feedback will guide quality improvement and sustain resources benefiting children, adolescents, transition-age youth, and young adults experiencing or at risk for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, or other behavioral health concerns.