Isaac Lara

About Isaac Lara

Ernesto Isaac Lara is a youth wellbeing activist, lived experience researcher, and peer support advocate on a mission to create a happier, healthier global community.Rooted in his healing journey, Isaac has dedicated his early career to expanding access to peer support training and services. Currently, Isaac works at the Mental Health for All Lab at Harvard Medical School, where he leads the EMPOWER Peer Support Initiative. This endeavor aims to develop a digital, global peer support curriculum to equip those with lived experience of recovery to support others earlier in their healing journey. Additionally, Isaac furthers his mission by guiding organizations such as the World Health Organization, Global Mental Health Peer Network, Mental Health America, NAMI, Youth Move National, Stanford Psychiatry, and Lancet Psychiatry. In recognition of his advocacy and research he was awarded the 2024 Mental Health America mPower Award and 2025 NTTAC Young Adult Champion Award.

Experience

1. Lived Experience Advisor Lancet Psychiatry Leab

   The Lancet Group

   Jun 2024 — Present

   The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on lived experience in mental health research aims to reflect on the history and evolution of lived experience involvement, assess existing knowledge and identify gaps, establish key principles, explore difference and debate, provide recommendations, and propose next steps for the field.As a Lived Experience Advisor, I am 1 of 12 advisors responsible for guiding the development and growth of the inaugural Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Lived Experience in Mental Health Research

Education

• UC San Diego

  Bachelor's of Science, Clinical Psychology & Global Health, Double Major

• UC San Diego

  Master of Arts - MA, Global Health