Welcome to the Health Equity Across the Lifespan (HEAL) Lab
The HEAL Lab conducts research focused on suicide prevention, mental health service use, and behavioral health disparities across the lifespan. Our work examines how social, cultural, and structural factors influence suicide risk, help-seeking behaviors, and access to mental health care among underserved and higher-risk populations. Through interdisciplinary and community-informed research, we aim to identify barriers to care and support the development of culturally responsive, evidence-based mental health interventions and services.
Dr. Shaikh is currently accepting graduate applications for the 2027-2028 cycle.
Click here for more information about applying to the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program.
Current Projects
We are actively conducting research in the following areas:
- Religious coping and belongingness among TGNC racial and ethnic minority adults
- Crisis line use among undergraduate Latino men at elevated risk of suicide
- Perceived need for substance use treatment among older adults
- Knowledge and use of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Help-seeking among college men of color at elevated risk of suicide