Digital tools to help young people at high risk for psychosis get care
Digital Strategies to Advance Help-Seeking in Youth at Clinical High Risk for Developing Psychosis
This project uses online screenings and digital supports to help teens and young adults at high risk for psychosis connect with evaluation and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139444 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're a young person worried about early signs of psychosis, this project builds online pathways that try to move you from a self-screening result toward real clinical help. The team partners with Mental Health America and Strong365 to use existing online screens (like the PQ-B) and new digital navigation tools to encourage follow-up. Youth who screen positive would be referred into a national network for clinical evaluation and recommended digital supports. The goal is to make it easier and faster for you to get evaluated and start care if needed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Teens and young adults (roughly ages 13–26) who screen above threshold on online psychosis-risk questionnaires or who have early warning symptoms and are willing to be referred for clinical evaluation.
Not a fit: People without early psychosis risk, those outside the targeted age range, or individuals unwilling to use online tools or follow up with referrals may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could help many more at-risk youth get evaluated and begin treatment earlier, potentially reducing long-term disability.
How similar studies have performed: Online self-screening has identified large numbers of at-risk youth but follow-through has been low, and while digital navigation approaches show promise, this combined approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Birnbaum, Michael Leo — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Birnbaum, Michael Leo
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.