Digital screening and self-help support for teen mental health in low-resource communities
Implementing a Digital Adolescent Behavioral Health Screening, Literacy, and Low-Intensity Intervention for Common Adolescent Mental Health Problems in Low Resource Settings
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11141054
A mobile toolkit that helps teens and their caregivers spot common mental health concerns, learn practical coping skills, and find low-intensity support in low-resource areas.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11141054 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would use a mobile toolkit called mSELY (one version for teens and one for parents) that screens mood and behavior, creates a strengths-and-weaknesses profile, and offers tailored mental health information and referral resources. The project starts by checking whether the app is easy to use and acceptable, then moves on to measure whether it helps prevent or reduce common adolescent problems like anxiety. The app emphasizes low-intensity, self-help strategies and mental health literacy so you and your caregivers can try practical supports without immediate specialist care. The team is focusing on deployment in low-resource communities and will collect user feedback to improve the toolkit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adolescents (roughly ages 12–20) and their caregivers living in low-resource communities who have regular access to a smartphone or mobile device.
Not a fit: Teens with severe psychiatric conditions or immediate safety concerns are unlikely to get sufficient care from this low-intensity, app-based approach and would need specialist or emergency services instead.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help teens recognize problems earlier and access practical supports and referrals without long waits for specialist care.
How similar studies have performed: Some digital and low-intensity mental health apps have shown promise for adolescents in higher-resource settings, but combining screening, tailored literacy, and referrals for low-resource communities is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HUANG, KENG-YEN — NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: HUANG, KENG-YEN
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 below.