Research & Data Projects

Transforming Mental Health with Data-Driven Change

The Belonging Lab conducts original research to uncover gaps in mental health care and advocate for systemic solutions grounded in real data. Our research efforts are rooted in lived experience, community needs, and equity.

2026 Flagship Study (In Progress)

Title: "Are Our Schools Equipped?"

We are currently conducting an in-depth county-wide analysis of school mental health staffing across San Diego County. This study aims to:

Assess how many schools have access to an adequate number of school psychologists, counselors, and social workers
Evaluate disparities between districts based on income, racial demographics, and location
Provide actionable recommendations for policy change and funding priorities

This report will be released in Fall 2026 and will be available publicly.

Community Mental Health Monitoring

In addition to our school study, we are also collecting and synthesizing local data on:

Depression rates among youth in San Diego
Suicide attempt and completion rates
Gaps in access to prevention and crisis services

This work will inform everything from our Stay Café program design to city-level advocacy for more mental health resources and compassionate care systems.

Want to Get Involved?

We welcome collaborations with:

School districts
Graduate students
Public health agencies
Mental health professionals