Exploring the Intersection of Substance Use, Mental Health, and Mortality Among the U.S. Youth: A Comprehensive Analysis of Trends, Associations and Interventions

Abstract

My PhD journey has been long and eventful, filled with various personal milestones and challenges. I experienced the joy of welcoming my daughter into the world, changing two jobs, and relocating across two homes and states while also enduring the deep sorrow of losing my beloved grandfather. Despite moments of self-doubt and instances where I almost felt like giving up, this journey has strengthened my wisdom and resilience. Through it all, one constant remained, my passion for driving meaningful change in the field of mental health and substance use, supported by the unwavering encouragement of my community, which kept me moving forward, one small step at a time. As they say, great ideas are not the work of one, but the product of a well-knit supportive community. So, with that in mind, I dedicate my dissertation to the following: 1. My loving husband and beautiful daughter, who have been my unshakable pillars of strength and support throughout the journey. 2. My parents, in-laws, and extended family in India, who instilled in me values of integrity, honesty, and humility, virtues that are reflected throughout my dissertation. 3. My late grandfather, whose constant encouragement to stay curious, fueled my passion. He often asked me “When will you finish your PhD” and “I can’t wait to read your dissertation”. So, Daddy, this one is for you! 4. My incredible friends whose words of motivation kept me going whenever I thought of giving up, especially Dr. Rizwana Biviji, my dear friend and IU PhD program alumna, who has been my moral support and inspiration throughout. 5. My mentors and teachers in India, Mauritius, and the U.S., who instilled in me the importance of questioning, learning, and following the path of science and facts. 6. Last but not least, all those young promising individuals who tragically lost their lives to the menace of substance use and mental illness. Their struggles and the lessons learned from their short but impactful lives inspire us to strive for positive change in communities.