Improving mental health understanding for young Black adults
Official title: Building a Community-Based Mental Health Literacy Intervention for African American Young Adults
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-10890863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Black and African American young adults, aged 18-35, better understand and access mental health resources, especially after the tough times brought on by COVID-19, by creating a supportive program that fits their community needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $197,181 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH131797-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black/African American young adults aged 18-35 who may be experiencing trauma or substance use issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 18-35 or those not identifying as Black/African American may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing mental health literacy among Black/African American young adults, who face significant barriers to accessing mental health care. The project aims to develop a community-based intervention that addresses trauma and substance use, particularly in the context of challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By collaborating with a Community Advisory Board, the intervention will be culturally tailored and guided by established psychological theories to effectively promote understanding and utilization of mental health resources. The program will be piloted with young adults aged 18-35 from various community settings, such as colleges and barbershops.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes and increased engagement in mental health care among Black/African American young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community-based interventions can effectively improve mental health literacy and care engagement in similar populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bauer, Alexandria Gabrielle — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Bauer, Alexandria Gabrielle
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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.