Personalized mental health app for teachers and caregivers in Uganda
Official title: Promoting Mental Health of Teachers and Caregivers using a Personalized mHealth Toolkit in Uganda
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11195271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A personalized mobile app to help teachers and parents in Uganda manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
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 | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $188,974 |
| NIH project number | 4R33MH131041-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are teachers and caregivers (including parents) of young children in Uganda who are experiencing stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms and can use a smartphone.
✕Less likely to help
People without smartphone or internet access, those with severe psychiatric conditions requiring intensive clinical treatment, or individuals who are not caregivers/teachers are unlikely to benefit directly from this app-based program.
What this research studies
I would use an app called mWEL that screens for anxiety, depression, and stress and then offers tailored self-help tools and coping exercises. The project first tests whether the app is practical and acceptable for teachers and parents in Ugandan schools and communities, and then measures if using the app improves mental wellbeing. The app includes interactive exercises, psychoeducation, and links to further care when needed, delivered in a low-cost, scalable way. The work focuses on reaching teachers and caregivers of young children and adapting content to the local context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could lower anxiety and depression symptoms and make mental health support more accessible and affordable for teachers and caregivers.
How similar studies have gone: Other smartphone-based self-help programs have helped people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, but a tailored app for teachers and caregivers in Uganda is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Keng-Yen — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Huang, Keng-Yen
Related research
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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.