Genetic Counseling to Help Young People Avoid Mental Health Risks

This study is testing whether genetic counseling can help prevent serious mental illness in young people. Researchers will offer eligible teenagers and young adults a one-on-one counseling session where they can learn about their genetic risk factors and how cannabis use might affect their mental health. The goal is to empower young people with personalized information so they can make healthier choices during critical years of brain development.

Serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression often start in the teenage years and can be very hard to treat once they develop. Recent research shows that some people have genes that make them more vulnerable to these conditions, especially if they use cannabis during adolescence. This study tests whether giving young people personalized genetic information through counseling can help them avoid these risks before illness starts.