Drop-in center offers a safe haven; real-time monitoring of extreme heat

Dec. 4, 2025

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Anteater Time Machine: Students stroll through Aldrich Park on a fall day in 1984. (Photo courtesy of UC Irvine Libraries Archives)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Drop-in center offers a safe haven

Stephen Schueller, psychology professor and co-founder of the center

(Photo by Karen Tapia)

The Wellness and Prevention Center, in partnership with UC Irvine, has opened the allcove drop-in center – a new approach to youth mental health services developed and designed entirely with input from young people. The center serves youth ages 12 to 25 and offers counseling, peer support, family support and community activities – all at no cost, regardless of insurance status. "If we want to address youth mental health, we need to create spaces they want to use and services in ways they want to engage with them," said Stephen Schueller, psychology professor and co-founder of the center. “There's a huge need for mental health services for young people, and allcove offers those services right now."

Fighting the growing diabetes epidemic among women

Women are disproportionately impacted by diabetes. In the U.S. alone, one in seven over 20 have the condition and not all have been diagnosed. Conquering this disease is imperative for women, who face increased risks for gestational diabetes during pregnancy, cardiovascular complications and reproductive health challenges. “Addressing the diabetes challenge among women is vital because they face unique physical, biological, socioeconomic and healthcare access challenges that increase their risk of complications,” said Dr. Qin Yang, an endocrinologist and director of the UCI Health Diabetes Center.

Real-time monitoring of extreme heat

Suellen Hopfer, corresponding author and associate professor of health, society and behavior at Wen Public Health

UC Irvine researchers used an AI-based technique to monitor heat equity in real time. Their study analyzed online posts by Californians about extreme heat through the Healthy Places Index – a data tool to help inform the development of targeted public health interventions. “Extreme heat is an often-underestimated public health threat,” said Suellen Hopfer, corresponding author and associate professor of health, society and behavior at Wen Public Health. “By integrating health equity tools like the Healthy Places Index with social media monitoring, we can better understand how Californians experience and respond to heat and identify where targeted interventions are most needed.” The National Science Foundation supported the study. #SpeakUp4Science

UC NEWS

Go paperless with UCPath

There are many good reasons to go paperless, and UCPath makes it easy to do so. Sign up for electronic delivery of your W-2 and 1095-C tax forms in your online UCPath account. And, if you’re still getting a paycheck in the mail, this is the perfect time to sign up for direct deposit.

SAVE THE DATE

UCI Opera Workshop

Dec. 5, 8 p.m. (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Friends of UC Irvine Music and Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund)

The Green Knight

Dec. 5, 8 p.m., multiple subsequent dates (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Humanities Core Program and New Swan Shakespeare Center)

Festival Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker

Dec. 6, 11 a.m., multiple subsequent dates (sponsored by Irvine Barclay Theatre)

UCI Chamber Music Concert

Dec. 8, 8 p.m. (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts and Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund)

The State of Public Health

Dec. 10, 3 p.m. (sponsored by Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health)

For more events, visit UC Irvine Today.

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Chad Lefteris is a CEO Influencer to Know

Chad T. Lefteris, UCI Health president and CEO, has been recognized as a CEO Influencer to Know by Becker’s Hospital Review. His bold innovation and transformative vision have propelled one of California’s largest academic health systems into an era of expansion that will provide greater access to exceptional care.

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