Mobile mental health app for young adults

Increasing Access to Mental Health Support for 18-25 Year Old Youth With the JoyPop Mobile Mental Health App: Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Lakehead University · NCT06239545

This study is testing a mobile mental health app called JoyPop to see if it can help young adults aged 18-25 who are waiting for mental health services in Northwestern Ontario manage their emotions better and get the support they need.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment110 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
SponsorLakehead University (other)
Locations1 site (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT06239545 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the JoyPop mobile mental health app designed to support transitional-aged youth (TAY) aged 18-25 who are on wait-lists for mental health services in Northwestern Ontario. The app aims to improve emotion regulation and provide accessible mental health support during a critical transition period when traditional services may be lacking. Participants will receive the app alongside usual care practices, and those without an iOS device will be provided with a refurbished iPhone for the duration of the trial. The study seeks to address the significant mental health challenges faced by TAY in rural communities, where access to services is often limited.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are youth aged 18-25 who are on wait-lists for mental health services at designated centers.

Not a fit: Patients who are not on wait-lists for mental health services or those outside the age range of 18-25 may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this app could provide timely mental health support to young adults, potentially reducing distress and improving overall mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While mobile mental health applications have shown promise in various settings, this specific approach targeting TAY in rural areas is relatively novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Youth must be on the wait-list for mental health services at St. Joseph's Care Group or Thunder Bay Counselling Centre and be between 18-25 years old.
* Eligible youth will also need to be available to attend a virtual or in-person orientation session.
* In order to download the JoyPop app, participants will need access to an iOS device (e.g., iPhone, iPad). Refurbished iPhones containing just the JoyPop app will be provided to participants to use for the duration of the trial if they do not have access to their own.

Where this trial is running

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Emotion Regulation, Depression, Anxiety, Stress

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.