School-Based Research Opportunities – Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health

The Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health (Rutgers-CCSMH) periodically receives information about school-based research opportunities from Rutgers colleagues and other school mental health professionals. We are pleased to share these opportunities on our website for your awareness and consideration.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities listed below, please contact the individual noted on the corresponding informational flyer for additional details.

Disclaimer: Posting these opportunities does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Rutgers-CCSMH. Participation is entirely voluntary and at the discretion of each school or individual.

Study Information: Do you struggle with getting/keeping a job and want free career counseling? The Rutgers iCareer study is interested in improving job outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions.

Eligibility & Method: This study is looking for participants ages 16-29. All meetings are done through Zoom and follow HIPPA confidentiality. There is a baseline meeting, along with 3, 6, & 12-month follow-up meetings that you get paid for. The total time in the study can run approximately 16-20 months depending on how long it takes the person to complete the intervention.

Incentive: Participants can be paid up to $420 for completing baseline and follow-ups. If they are school aged, the Rutgers iCareer team may be able to run the group in the school and their group leaders would Zoom in.

The intervention consists of 6 modules with 4 sessions per module. Each session is about an hour long. The module topics are:

Conversing with others
Presenting qualifications
Asking for help
Responding to feedback
Navigating differences
Requesting workplace accommodations

To learn more, see the flyer: iCareer Study Flyer

Researcher Contact Information:
Wili Lu, PhD
luwe1@shp.rutgers.edu
Research Tower-Busch Campus
icareer.rutgers@gmail.com
sites.rutgers.edu/icareer/

Study Information: The Rutgers CTE Team has developed a toolkit and website designed to support individuals with mental health conditions and other behavioral or cognitive challenges in exploring and succeeding in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The website provides accessible information, practical strategies, and helpful resources for choosing, enrolling in, and completing a CTE program. They are currently recruiting participants to test a website and complete a paid survey.

Incentive: $25 Amazon e-gift card after fully completing the survey. Additional amounts may be paid for participating in a follow-up focus group.

Eligibility Criteria:

18 years or older
Between 16–18 years old (with parent or guardian consent)
An individual with a mental health condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD), autism spectrum disorder, or a learning disability
or a family member or supporter of someone with the above conditions
or a teacher in a high school, vocational school, or community college who works with such individuals
or a counselor, social worker, or other helping professional who supports individuals with these challenges

Access the website: myctejourney.org
Complete the feedback survey: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1YVTU7tic84k0bI

View the recruitment flyer here: CTE Site Testing 7.30.25

Researcher Contact Information:
Ni Gao, Ph.D., LCSW
gaoni@rutgers.edu