Advancing research to eradicate suicide
The ESSENCE Lab is committed to transforming mental health and suicide prevention through research that uplifts and empowers communities. We explore how stress, identity, and social context shape mental health and well-being, with a focus on the lived experiences of Black adolescents and emerging adults.
Our work takes a strengths-based, community-engaged approach to understanding both risk and resilience, with the goal of generating research that informs real-world interventions, programs, and policies that support well-being and thriving.
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why we do it
In order to create a world where black youth no longer desire to die, we need to give black youth a reason to live
Led by Dr. Jasmin Brooks Stephens, the ESSENCE Lab is dedicated to transforming suicide prevention through culturally grounded, strengths-based, and community-engaged research.
We study how racism-related stress and social inequities contribute to suicide risk and mental health disparities — and how cultural, familial, and community strengths promote thriving, purpose, and resilience among Black adolescents and emerging adults.
what we're passionate about
Building a future where fewer black/brown lives are lost to suicide
At UC Berkeley, our Ph.D. in Clinical Science program trains the next generation of researchers and clinicians to advance evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health science that drives systems-level change and promotes health equity.
Racism-Related Stress, Trauma, and Suicide Disparities
Cultural Strengths, Resilience, and Pathways to Thriving
Intersectionality and Mental Health
Community-Engaged Intervention Development
meet the dr
Dr. Jasmin Brooks Stephens
Dr. Brooks Stephens is a clinical psychologist with nearly ten years of experience working with adults and families. Her work centers on culturally responsive, trauma-informed care with a focus on mood, anxiety, eating, trauma, substance use, and racial identity concerns. She often works with individuals facing systemic stress, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, suicidal thoughts, and grief.
