Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research June 20, 2025

New Blog Spotlight:



From Isolation to Inspiration: How Creative Communities Saved My Mental Health

The CIRC Center is excited to feature a moving new blog post by a young adult writer reflecting on the power of creative online communities in navigating mental health recovery during the pandemic and beyond.

In From Isolation to Inspiration: How Creative Communities Saved My Mental Health, the author shares their personal journey of seeking out virtual open mics, writing workshops, and artistic gatherings that became a lifeline in times of isolation. Through vulnerability, creative expression, and shared lived experiences, these digital spaces fostered lasting friendships, hope, and resilience.

It’s a beautiful reminder of how meaningful connections can bloom in the most unexpected places — and how art and community can light the way through difficult times.

Read the full blog here.

We hope you’ll give it a read and consider sharing it with others who might need a little extra hope today.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast: Episode 21!

Improving mental health through community-based music, writing, and art programs

In this episode we chat with Davy, a musician and young adult advisory board member, about how music, writing, and art have helped him navigate his mental health journey. Davy shares how creative communities — from virtual writing groups to local open mic nights — offered not only a creative outlet but a sense of belonging and support.

Tune in for a conversation about the healing power of creativity, the importance of community, and practical tips for finding your own local or virtual creative spaces. Ready to reconnect with your creative side? This episode’s for you.

Listen now!

Read the Transcript. Watch it on our YouTube Channel.

Our full offering of Info-Comics for Young Adults includes topics like job interviews, IEPs, managing paperwork, and college accommodations.

STAY Tuned Podcast Episode 24: Roots and Change: Youth Advocacy in Rural Communities

Technical Assistance activities are an extension of the research and training activities of Transitions ACR. Our TA services can range from simple resource referrals to on-site development of a formal TA plan (including fact finding, goals, responsibilities, timelines, and evaluation measures). We are ready to help you develop programs, policies, and practices that support the community participation, educational, and employment outcomes of youth with mental health conditions.

Please complete the form below for Technical Assistance from the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Please note that we do not provide clinical consultation, behavioral services, or referrals.

Adulting Shorts:

Info-Comics

Memes Created by Young Adults for Young Adults

Blogging on Adulting: In Our Voice Blog

S.T.A.Y. Tuned

Young Adult Podcast

Tip Sheets for Young Adults/their Supporters

Webinars on Young Adult Mental Health

RESOURCES BY TOPIC

Community Participation — Employment — Education — Life Skills



Select publications are available in Mandarin (普通话出版物 Pǔtōnghuà chūbǎn wù), Portuguese (Português), Spanish (español) and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research (Transitions ACR) promotes the full participation in socially valued roles of transition-age youth and young adults (ages 14-30) with serious mental health conditions. Transitions to ACR is located within the Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center (iSPARC) and houses The CIRC Center and Learning & Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research & Training Center, among other projects.

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iSPARC

As a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Research Center of Excellence located within the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, iSPARC aims to improve the mental and behavioral health of all citizens of Massachusetts and beyond.

Some of the contents of this message are supported in part under grants with funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, (NIDILRR), United States Departments of Health and Human Services (NIDILRR grant numbers 90RTEM0005, 90RTCP0010 and 90RTEM0012) and co-funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services. The contents of this message do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, SAMHSA, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.