THE GUIDE: improving mental health and caregiver support for adolescents and young adults
THE GUIDE: Transforming Health for Young Adults Using Interventions to Drive Engagement
This program gives young people and their caregivers access to trained providers and a digital platform to strengthen communication and reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11378940 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll get access to a provider training program plus a digital platform with short educational modules and interactive tools to help you and your caregiver communicate better. The team will use a Multiphase Optimization Strategy to figure out which parts of the platform work best before testing the full package. In the trial, some people get immediate access and others get access after six months, with each person using the intervention for six months and then being followed for up to a year. Researchers will track changes in suicidal thoughts and behaviors, caregiver support, and connections to trained providers and community resources.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Teens and young adults who are struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, along with their caregivers, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are outside the adolescent and young adult age range or who require immediate inpatient psychiatric care may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower suicidal behaviors and improve family support and access to mental health care for young adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work on provider training and digital support tools has shown promise, but combining and optimizing these components specifically for young adults is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Rena — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xu, Rena
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.