A community-based approach to improve mental health in Harlem
Official title: Harlem Strong Mental Health Coalition: A Multi-sector Community-Engaged Collaborative for System Transformation
Funded at Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy · NIH-10930700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve mental health support for people in Harlem, especially after COVID-19, by training local community members to help connect their neighbors with the mental health services they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $886,732 |
| NIH project number | 5U01MH136557-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are residents of Harlem, particularly those living in low-income housing or facing barriers to mental health care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Harlem or those who do not face significant barriers to accessing mental health services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing mental health disparities in Harlem, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, by creating a collaborative network that engages community members and strengthens local health systems. It aims to enhance access to mental health services by training non-mental health providers in community settings, such as low-income housing and primary care facilities. The project will utilize a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to ensure that the solutions developed are tailored to the specific needs of the community. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the initiative seeks to promote mental health awareness and improve service linkages for residents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to mental health services and reduce disparities for Harlem residents.
How similar studies have gone: Similar community-based approaches have shown success in addressing mental health disparities in other regions, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ngo, Victoria Khanh — Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
- Study coordinator: Ngo, Victoria Khanh
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.