Engaging Latinx communities to improve mental health treatment
Official title: Abriendo Caminos: Engaging Latinx Communities Through Culturally Responsive Peer Delivered Motivational Interviewing
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10889187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help Latinx individuals with serious mental health issues feel more comfortable and motivated to engage in treatment by using friendly, culturally relevant support from peers who understand their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $165,910 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH130718-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latinx adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing serious mental illness and are not currently engaged in treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latinx or those who are already receiving effective mental health treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving mental health treatment engagement among Latinx individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) through culturally responsive peer-delivered motivational interviewing. The approach aims to address barriers such as lack of bilingual providers and culturally relevant interventions, which often prevent Latinx individuals from seeking help. By utilizing motivational interviewing techniques, the program seeks to enhance treatment adherence and reduce alcohol consumption among participants. The study will involve community engagement and tailored interventions to better meet the needs of this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mental health treatment engagement and outcomes for Latinx individuals with serious mental illness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that culturally tailored interventions can improve treatment engagement among minority populations, suggesting a promising approach in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rojas Perez, Oscar Fernando — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Rojas Perez, Oscar Fernando
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.