Improving HIV care and mental health support for adolescents
HIV Engagement and Adolescent Depression Support (HEADS-UP)
This study is looking to help teenagers living with HIV in Malawi by making a friendly counseling program that includes support from peers, so they can feel better and stay engaged in their HIV care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10828328 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Malawi, where engaging these young individuals in HIV care is challenging due to high rates of depression. The study aims to adapt an evidence-based depression counseling intervention called the Friendship Bench to be more youth-friendly and incorporate peer support. By conducting formative research and testing this adapted intervention, the goal is to enhance mental health support and improve engagement in HIV care among adolescents. This approach combines problem-solving therapy with peer support to address both mental health and HIV care needs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents living with HIV, particularly those experiencing depression in resource-limited settings.
Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV or do not experience mental health challenges may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mental health and HIV care engagement for adolescents living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with the Friendship Bench intervention in reducing depression in general populations, but this adaptation for adolescents is novel.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaynes, Bradley N — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Gaynes, Bradley N
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.