FOCUS
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10–24, with rates increasing exponentially over the past decade, disproportionately among youth of color. Saira’s research interests include developing and implementing youth suicide prevention and intervention initiatives. She aspires to translate her research into equitable programs, systems, and policy-level solutions that facilitate culturally responsive care for suicidal youth across multiple service delivery systems. She is particularly passionate about improving marginalized populations’ access to mental healthcare.
MORE ABOUT SAIRA
Saira is the child of South Asian immigrants who instilled in her the interconnectedness of individuals and the value of service to others. Saira’s scholarship is strongly connected with her social work training and experiences as a social work clinician working in pediatric healthcare. She believes that healthcare is a human right.
DISSERTATION GRANT AWARDEE — SPRING 2025
Improving Emergency Psychiatric Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: A Multi-Method Study of Boarding Disparities and Provider Practices
This multi-method study includes two phases: the first examines potential disparities in emergency department psychiatric boarding among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, while the second explores how providers navigate issues of belonging, acceptance, and rejection during crisis treatment and discharge planning with SGM youth and families. Together, these phases highlight the challenges and opportunities for improving support systems for SGM youth during psychiatric emergencies.
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