Niyati Sharma presents Youth mental health study in San Diego
In a presentation at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference in San Diego, 16-year-old Horseheads High School junior Niyati Sharma outlined a 30-year analysis of adolescent mental health trends using federal survey data.
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Key Clinical Takeaways:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data collected between 1991 and 2021.
- Variables examined in the study included persistent feelings of sadness, suicide-related thoughts and attempts, sleep patterns, obesity, and academic performance.
- The project earned the student an invitation to present at national medical conferences in San Diego and San Antonio.
Niyati Sharma Examines Three Decades of YRBSS Data
Inspired by her own observations of peer mental health pressures during her sophomore year in 2025, Niyati Sharma developed a research project titled Turning Point in Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: A 30-Year Analysis of National YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System) Data.
She utilized data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over a 30-year span starting in 1991.
Her father, Dr. Saurabh Sharma, a cardiologist with Guthrie Clinic and associate professor of cardiology at Geisinger School of Medicine, connected her with a research mentor at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital after she expressed interest in investigating when generational mental health deterioration began. Niyati Sharma spent several hours a week over the course of a year analyzing variables including persistent sadness, hopelessness, and suicide mortality rates.
Presenting Findings at National Medical Conferences
Niyati Sharma traveled to San Diego in early October to present her findings to pediatricians at the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference. It was really nerve-wracking,
Niyati Sharma told reporters regarding the presentation. I feel like me being 16 years old talking to pediatricians from all across the world, I really felt like I was in like a good spot.
Following the San Diego event, she prepared to present a subsequent study focusing specifically on adolescent suicide trends at a conference in San Antonio, Texas. Her father expressed surprise and pride watching her engage with professional researchers by raising her hand and asking questions during conference sessions.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.