A digital mental health service for young adults who don't seek treatment

Digital Mental Health Service for Non-Treatment Seeking Young Adults

NIH-funded research Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10693183

This study is creating a friendly text message service for young adults aged 18-24 who are dealing with mental health challenges but might not want to go for traditional help, making it easier for them to get support right on their phones.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10693183 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a personalized digital mental health service aimed at young adults aged 18-24 who are experiencing mental health issues but are unlikely to seek traditional treatment. The project will utilize machine learning to create tailored SMS text messages that engage users and provide psychoeducational content, helping them manage their symptoms more effectively. By leveraging mobile technology, the research aims to improve adherence to mental health interventions and reduce dropout rates associated with existing digital mental health apps. Participants will receive personalized support through their mobile devices, making mental health resources more accessible.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-24 who are experiencing mental health challenges but are not currently seeking traditional treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients who are already receiving effective treatment for their mental health conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide young adults with a more engaging and effective way to manage their mental health through personalized digital interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using digital mental health interventions, but this approach of personalized SMS messaging is relatively novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.