Training youth mentors to help prevent depression in rural teens
Official title: Just-in-Time Training for Youth Mentors: A Strategy for Implementing Evidence-Based Preventive Interventions for Youth in Rural Communities
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11119099 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to help teenagers in rural areas by training local mentors to teach them ways to prevent depression in a friendly and relatable after-school setting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $698,328 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH139826-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11119099 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents living in rural areas who may be experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural communities or those who are not adolescents may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve mental health support for adolescents in rural communities by training youth mentors to deliver evidence-based depression prevention programs. The approach involves adapting an existing program, Interpersonal Psychotherapy–Adolescent Skills Training, for use in after-school settings, making it more accessible and relatable for rural youth. By utilizing local mentors, the project seeks to overcome barriers such as provider shortages and stigma associated with professional mental health care. The training for mentors will be streamlined to ensure they receive just-in-time support, enhancing their ability to retain and apply the skills effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase access to mental health support for rural adolescents, potentially reducing rates of depression and suicide.
How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives using task-shifting to train paraprofessionals have shown promise in delivering effective mental health interventions, suggesting a favorable outlook for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gunlicks-Stoessel, Meredith Lyn — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Gunlicks-Stoessel, Meredith Lyn
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.