Using youth mentors to provide brief therapy for Latinx youth to prevent suicide
Official title: Task-Shifting: Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy by Youth Mentors for Latinx Youth Suicide Prevention
Funded at Boston College · NIH-10948287 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how friendly, trained mentors can provide short therapy sessions to help Latinx teens who are dealing with mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide, making it easier for them to get the support they need in their own communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,992 |
| NIH project number | 1K23MH137405-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948287 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latinx youth under 21 years old who are experiencing mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latinx or those over the age of 21 may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of brief interpersonal psychotherapy delivered by youth mentors in community settings to help Latinx youth struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. The approach focuses on making mental health care more accessible by training lay providers to deliver effective therapy, specifically designed for adolescents. The study aims to assess how feasible and acceptable this method is for youth in their communities, addressing barriers such as mistrust of the mental health system and limited access to care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to mental health care for Latinx youth, potentially reducing rates of suicide and enhancing overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using community-based approaches and task-shifting for mental health interventions, indicating potential success for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vélez-Grau, Carolina — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Vélez-Grau, Carolina
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.