Cha Lab Chronicles (Summer Issue)

Quarterly Newsletter From Cha Lab at Yale

July 2026

What exactly are the Cha Lab Chronicles?

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"Cha Lab Chronicles" captures what our youth mental health lab here at Yale has been up to the past few months. Scroll down below on updates tied to our lab out in the community, paid online research participation opportunities, and teen-recommended resources. Also keep scrolling to complete a crossword puzzle and enter a raffle to receive some lab swag by mail. Enjoy!

If you’re looking for more general lab information, refer to our lab website:

Lab Website

If you are seeking mental health resources, click here:

Mental Health Resources

Community Connections around Youth Mental Health

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Spring & Summer Events 2026

This past spring the Cha Lab has had the opportunity to attend several community events at local high schools and colleges! Please check out our photos from the events in the side bar 😊.

• In April, lab members attended the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness walk at Fairfield University in Fairfield Connecticut, walking alongside families and community members impacted by suicide.

• Dr. Christine Cha and lab members visited local high schools, community events, and the Korean-American Society of Connecticut NextGen Youth Vision Seminar, presenting research from our lab and the different jobs available for psychologists and clinical researchers.

• At each event, the lab talked about psychology research, the work the Cha Lab does, and positive future thinking, and engaged people in a fun and simple future thinking task: "Writing a postcard to their future self!"

• In July, Dr. Christine Cha and lab member Marianne Bassing attended the Youth Suicide Research Consortium in Brooklyn, New York and spoke to research and community members about the differnt ways youth are involved in our lab. To learn more about the conference click the link below:

Youth Suicide Research Consortium

Cha Lab in the Community

Cha Lab at AFSP Walk

Writing a Postcard to Your Future Self

At every event we a also talked about positive future thinking, and engaged people in a fun and simple future thinking task:

Writing a post card to their future self!!

Presenting at YSRC

Lab member presenting at KASCT

Cha Lab at AFSP Walk

Writing a Postcard to Your Future Self

At every event we a also talked about positive future thinking, and engaged people in a fun and simple future thinking task:

Writing a post card to their future self!!

Presenting at YSRC

Lab member presenting at KASCT

Cha Lab at AFSP Walk

Writing a Postcard to Your Future Self

At every event we a also talked about positive future thinking, and engaged people in a fun and simple future thinking task:

Writing a post card to their future self!!

Presenting at YSRC

Lab member presenting at KASCT

Cha Lab in New Haven, CT

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We're still exploring New Haven, so we've compiled a list of places people in the lab have been trying lately! If you're local, we'd love your thoughts and recommendations because we're still learning our favorites!

What Lab Members Have Checked Out 🧆 🍢 🌯 🍔 🥪

Frank Pepe's/ Sally's - The lab is still figuring out where we stand on the Pepe's Vs. Sally's debate. Both awesome places with (hot take) the best pizza on Planet Earth! If you see extremely long lines of people that wrap around buildings, you're probably in the right place.
- Pepe's New Haven VS. Sallys New Haven
Alpha Delta Pizza - If you're near Alpha Delta Pizza, try "The Wenzel." It's named after Yale football and lacrosse player Eric Wenzel '04, who apparently ordered it so often it just became a permanent menu item
- Alpha Delta New Haven
Mamoun’s Falafel - Fast, affordable Middle Eastern food just off campus, always hits right
- Mamoun's New Haven
Louis’ Lunch - Kind of a fun "history" stop (apparently they invented the hamburger??)
- Louis' Lunch

Recent Bites 🍕

Bar Pizza- Margherita Slice
- Tried by: Henry (High School Intern)
- Score: 👍👍👍👍👍 (5 thumbs up)
- "Thin crust, very crispy, sauce is very tangy and enjoyable. Finished my slices way too fast"
  - Bonus fact: Lab member Sean Morfin works here on the weekends!

We hope you have a great time exploring New Haven and making the most of your summer!

Teen-Recommended Resources

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Check out some favorite ways the Cha Lab high school interns engage in taking a moment for themselves:

Need to decompress and have a little time? Try 4-7-8 breathing.

Take a deep breath in while counting to 4.
Hold your breath while counting to 7.
Take a deep breath out while counting to 8.
Repeat the above steps 2-4 more times.

Want to learn more about 4-7-8 breathing? Visit this link: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-7-8-breathing

Journal prompt:

Write about a moment in the past week that made you smile (even just a little). What was it about that moment that felt positive, and how can you seek or create more moments like that in this next week?

How to ask for help:

Determine what you need help with. Recognize the signs of when you need help—for example, feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed. Also recognize how someone can help you, whether that be taking on some of your workload, giving you advice, or just listening to you vent.
Find the right person to help you. Depending on the issue, it might be a different person. Think of your family, friends, teachers, coaches, or any other trusted people in your life. It may also make sense to get professional help, such as a psychologist or doctor, if necessary.
Determine what to say. Think about how you want to phrase it, including when you are going to bring it up and where. Consider having a clear idea of your feelings and ideas before the conversation. Be direct, honest, and express thanks after.

A favorite App to use

Daylio

"Daylio is a diary and mood tracking app—available on iOS and Android. I use Daylio daily to track my mood and activities of the day. When I first enter Daylio, I can enter my mood on a five-point scale, add different customizable activities, and journal about my day. It has diagrams, graphs, and even statistics to show how my activities and goals impact my daily mood. Because of it, I’ve limited my caffeine intake and started taking more walks. I’m on a 200-day streak!"

- 17-year-old female high school intern

Click here to check out the app!

A Favorite Book from a Cha Lab high school intern

A Philosophy of Loneliness, by Lars Svendsen

"The Philosophy of Loneliness explores what loneliness is, why people experience it, and how it differs from simply being alone. I appreciate that the book encourages readers to think more deeply about the role relationships, community, and self-reflection play in our lives. It offers an interesting perspective on a feeling that many people experience at some point and reminds us that understanding loneliness is an important step toward building meaningful connections with others."

-18-year-old high school intern

Check it out here:

Click here for a link to more information about the book!

A High School Intern's Favorite Song

"Try Everything" by Shakira

"Try Everything, is a song that's hard not to feel motivated by. I like that it's about accepting mistakes as part of learning instead of seeing them as failures. The lyrics are a good reminder that progress isn't always linear, and that trying again is often the most important part. It's an upbeat song, and the message has always stuck with me."

- 16-year-old high school intern

Check out the lyrics here!

Quotes That Resonate with our High School Interns

"In the middle of winter, I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer."

- Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

“What gives me hope is knowing that there is so much still ahead of us, and so much we can become.”

- High school intern (17-year-old female)

Paid Opportunites to Participate in the Cha Lab Projects

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Ongoing Studies

The Cha Lab has several ongoing studies that teens and their parents can participate in! Complete the form linked here (or you can scan the QR codes on the flyers), and our research team will reach out to see if you may be eligible for a study!

Click here to be contacted by our research team about eligibility

Read more about some of the projects we are currently working on that you can participate in!

SMART-Cope Study

The SMART-Cope Study explores how technology and everyday experiences relate to teen mental health and well-being. By learning more about how teens cope with stress and difficult emotions in their daily lives, we hope to identify factors that support resilience and improve future mental health interventions. Research activities are completed remotely, with teens using their own smartphone.

Who can participate?

• Teens ages 14–19

• Live in the Central or Eastern Time Zone

• Have a smartphone capable of downloading the study app

Compensation: Participants can receive a smartwatch (approximately $150 value) and up to $95 for completing the study.

Why is this research important? Understanding how teens respond to stress can help researchers develop more effective tools and resources to support youth mental health.

SAFETeen Study

The SAFETeen Study focuses on improving our understanding of youth mental health and suicide prevention. Researchers are working to identify ways to recognize risk earlier and connect young people with effective support and resources. The study includes an in-person research visit at Yale and participation from both teens and one of their biological parents.

Who can participate?

• Teens ages 14–18

• Live within driving distance of New Haven, CT

• Have a smartphone capable of downloading the study app

• Be willing to participate with a biological parent

• Be able to complete a 3–4 hour in-person visit at Yale

Compensation: Families may receive up to $232 for participating.

Why is this research important? Youth suicide remains a major public health concern. Research from SAFETeen helps scientists better understand risk factors and improve prevention strategies that support teens and their families.

Partner with Cha Lab Researchers

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Apply to be Part of the Cha Lab Youth Adivsory Board

Cha Lab Youth Advisory Board (YAB)The Cha Lab Youth Advisory Board (YAB), Youth VOICE (Valued Opinions Informing Change and Evidence) aims to empower both high school students passionate about adolescent mental health and research in youth mental health by providing a dynamic platform to elevate youth voices, with the board members providing invaluable insights to inform and enrich mental health research. By actively collaborating with the Cha Lab, Cha Lab YAB members will help shape youth mental health studies, ensuring that research is informed by and reflective of the voices and needs of adolescents. The Cha Lab YAB fosters leadership, skill development, and community engagement, while prioritizing inclusivity and diversity among its members.

Apply Here!

We're accepting applications until September 16, 2026!

Test your knowledge!

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Try your luck at our fun Cha Lab Summer Newsletter crossword puzzle. Click the link below to be directed to fun!

Once you've finished the puzzle take a screenshot and email it to cha.lab@yale.edu with the subject line "Summer Crossword" by August 10. We will randomly select a winner to recieve a cha lab mug!

Cha Lab Crossword Puzzle

Thanks for Scrolling!

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Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who might be interested in our work. Stay on the lookout for our Fall newsletter, scheduled November 2026. If you have any feedback, please email us at cha.lab@yale.edu. Finally, if you prefer not to be sent the newsletters, please just let us know by responding to this email.