August 22, 2025 – The number of teens reporting depressive symptoms has risen sharply over the past decade, and the trend is particularly bad in Oregon. On this week's episode of "Straight Talk," three experts, Dr. Jen Doty, Dr. Beth Stormshak, and Dr. Ariel Williamson who are working to get ahead of the curve, came together to talk about what's driving the trend, what researchers say can be done to help, and what kids are saying they need.

August 20, 2025 – Kids can develop bad tech habits as the summer winds down. Jen Doty, PhD, associate professor of counseling psychology, provides guidance on how to nurture healthy relationships with technology and kids.

August 11, 2025 – "We're in a mental health crisis. For the past two decades, mental health issues have been escalating, particularly among youth," said John Seeley, PhD, a professor and associate dean for research in the University of Oregon College of Education. "The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on students in need of additional supports, and that's the aim of the center — to help provide those additional supports."

July 1, 2025 –With a new $11 million federal grant, the University of Oregon will create a national center for children’s mental health, putting the university at the forefront of national prevention efforts to improve the mental health and well-being of adolescents. In partnership with middle schools, the center will focus on identifying issues early on.

June 30, 2025 – A new University of Oregon review of 11 studies found little evidence that the four-day school week benefits student academic performance, attendance, behavior or graduation rates.

June 2, 2025 – The 2025 Recognition and Honors Committee, with nominations from the membership of the Society for Prevention Research (SPR), selected Emily Tanner-Smith to be a Fellow. Fellowship is an honor that SPR bestows upon a small and select group of members who have a particularly distinguished record of contributions in the field of prevention research.

April 23, 2025 – UO researchers shared insights into youth mental and behavioral health issues and got an update on Ballmer Institute programs during a recent forum for journalists, who also heard how a new service delivery model developed at the UO will support the state’s children. Jen Doty, PhD and Geovanna Rodriguez, PhD, offer expert commentary.

April 9, 2025 – In Episode 6 of Coffee N Conversation, COE Dean Laura Lee McIntyre sits down with Lorry Lokey Chair in Education and Department Head Leslie Leve. Leve’s research focuses on child and adolescent development, gene-environment interplay, and interventions for children, families, and communities. She speaks about the process and results of her decades-long study around young girls in the juvenile justice system, what is next in her research, and provides prevention advice for families.

April 4, 2025 – In the latest edition of the College of Education's Research Briefly, Thomson Professor and Executive Director of the HEDCO Institute, Emily Tanner-Smith, PhD, talks about her meta analysis project that focuses on examining the effectiveness of mathematics interventions.

March 19, 2025 – Shows for girls mention sweets eight times more often than shows for boys, study finds. Nichole Kelly, PhD, who researches eating behaviors at the university, said it is important to monitor how food is marketed to younger generations — as a “poor diet” can increase the risk factor for certain health conditions.