A new tool and program to support mental health in young children through pediatric care.
Official title: Innovative Risk Calculator and Telehealth Delivered Parenting Program for Equitable Mental Health Promotion in Pediatric Primary Care: A Hybrid Type 3 Effectiveness-Implementation Study
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10843629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new online tool and parenting program to help doctors spot and support young children who might be at risk for mental health issues, making it easier for families to get the help they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $283,196 |
| NIH project number | 1P50MH132502-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10843629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are toddlers and their caregivers, particularly those from resource-limited communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not toddlers or those whose caregivers do not engage with the program may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to implement a risk calculator and a telehealth parenting program within pediatric primary care to help identify and support children at risk for mental health issues. By integrating evidence-based parenting interventions into existing healthcare systems, the project seeks to reduce the likelihood of mental health problems in toddlers. The approach includes using a digital tool to assess risk and providing online resources for caregivers, making it easier for families to access support. The goal is to create a more equitable system for mental health promotion in resource-limited communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early mental health support for children, leading to better long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that parenting interventions can effectively reduce mental health risks in children, indicating a promising approach for this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Justin D — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Smith, Justin D
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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.