Digital mental health engagement for LGBTQ+ users
Optimizing Engagement With Digital Mental Health Services Among Sexual And Gender Minority Consumers
NA · University of Washington · NCT07278765
This project will test brief, theory-based messages to see if they help LGBTQ+ people who complete an online depression screener use Mental Health America’s digital mental health resources.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 2300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 14 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Washington (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Alexandria, Virginia and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07278765 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study embeds a micro-randomized trial within Mental Health America's online PHQ-9 depression screening to deliver brief, theory-driven engagement messages to sexual and gender minority (SGM) users. Eligible U.S.-based users aged 14 and older who identify as LGBTQ+ and complete the screener and demographic items will be randomized at two decision points to receive or not receive HAPA-based prompts targeting outcome expectancy, self-efficacy, perceived risk, and barriers/resources. The primary outcomes are initial and sustained engagement with MHA's digital mental health resources and the feasibility of integrating these strategies into MHA's existing web infrastructure. Interaction data will be collected passively from site behavior linked to the screener and demographic responses in a naturalistic online setting.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are U.S.-based users aged 14 or older who identify as LGBTQ+ and complete the MHA PHQ-9 depression screener in English and the standard demographic items.
Not a fit: People outside the United States, those younger than 14, those who do not identify as LGBTQ+, or those who do not complete the screener or demographic questions are not eligible and unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the approach could increase both initial and ongoing use of free online mental health tools among LGBTQ+ people, helping reduce unmet mental health needs.
How similar studies have performed: Digital mental health programs have broadly shown feasibility and effectiveness, but randomized trials testing HAPA-based engagement strategies specifically for SGM populations in real-world web settings are limited, making this approach relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Users of the Mental Health America (MHA) website engaging from Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in the United States * Completed the PHQ-9 depression screener in English * Answered MHA's standard demographic questions that identify users as age 14 and older * Answered MHA's standard demographic questions that identify users as LGBTQ+. Exclusion Criteria: * IP addresses outside of the United States * Do not answer MHA's standard demographic questions * Answered MHA's standard demographic questions that identify users as age 13 and younger * Answered MHA's standard demographic questions that identify users as not LGBTQ+.
Where this trial is running
Alexandria, Virginia and 1 other locations
- Mental Health America — Alexandria, Virginia, United States (RECRUITING)
- University of Washington — Seattle, Washington, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Meghan Romanelli, PhD — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Meghan Romanelli, PhD
- Email: mbromane@uw.edu
- Phone: 206-685-6948
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Engagement, Patient, Digital Mental Health