Youth-LEARN

Overview

Youth-LEARN (Youth Lived Experience And Research Network) is a 2.5-year initiative led by Sangath and commissioned by the Wellcome Trust. The project brings together young people with lived experience of mental health concerns and neurodivergence, alongside researchers across India. Through participatory workshops, a year-long fellowship program, and a digital training course for researchers, Youth-LEARN aims to make mental health research more inclusive, relevant, and led by lived experience. The project will culminate in a Solidarity Summit, launching a national youth–researcher network, designed to continue beyond the project and strengthen the future of mental health research in India.

Rationale

Mental health research in India often lacks the voices of those it seeks to serve. Young people with lived experience of mental health challenges and neurodivergence remain underrepresented in shaping priorities, methods, and outcomes. Youth-LEARN addresses this gap by creating pathways for youth to move from being “participants” to becoming co-creators and leaders in research. By pairing lived experience expertise with academic research, the project seeks to transform how mental health research is designed and implemented. This shift ensures research is not only scientifically rigorous but also socially grounded, ethical, and directly responsive to young people’s realities.

Youth Advisory Group

The Youth-LEARN Youth Advisory Group brings together young people aged 18–32 from across India who have lived experience of mental health challenges or neurodivergence. They work closely with the Youth-LEARN team to guide project decisions, review materials, and ensure that every activity reflects real youth voices and experiences. Meeting quarterly, members co-create ideas, offer feedback, and help shape inclusive, ethical, and culturally grounded mental health research. Together, they make Youth-LEARN a project by and for young people.

Meet Our Youth Advisors — A passionate and diverse group of advisors bringing their unique experiences, perspectives, and commitment to transforming how youth mental health is understood and addressed: