Improving access to mental health care for minority youth using a digital intervention
Official title: Expanding minority youth access to evidence-based care: A pilot effectiveness trial of a digital mental health intervention
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10867368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a helpful app called SilverCloud can make it easier for young people from different backgrounds to get support for anxiety and depression, especially after the challenges of COVID-19, by using it in schools to overcome issues like cost and privacy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,162 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH130639-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are ethnic minority adolescents aged 21 and under who are experiencing anxiety or depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of the ethnic minority groups or those who do not experience mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance access to mental health care for ethnic minority adolescents who are experiencing high rates of anxiety and depression, particularly exacerbated by COVID-19. It will evaluate the effectiveness of a digital mental health intervention called SilverCloud, which is a clinician-guided app-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program. The study will focus on understanding how well this digital approach can be integrated into school-based mental health services, addressing barriers such as cost, transportation, and privacy concerns. By utilizing technology, the research seeks to provide a low-cost, accessible solution for youth in need of mental health support.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to effective mental health care for minority youth, potentially reducing rates of anxiety and depression.
How similar studies have gone: While digital mental health interventions have shown promise in other populations, this specific approach targeting minority youth in school settings is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Meter, Anna Robinson — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Van Meter, Anna Robinson
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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.