Va Meh Du: Soccer program with mental health education for Karenni refugees
Continuing and Expanding Va Meh Du, A Mental Health Promotion Program for Karenni Refugee Children and Emerging Adults
This program tests whether adding mental health education to weekly soccer helps Karenni boys and men improve coping skills and social connection.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years and up |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | University of North Carolina, Greensboro Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT06921499 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional program enrolls Karenni boys (8–16) and men (18+) in the Piedmont Triad area to take part in weekly soccer practices for six months. Participants are assigned to receive the Va Meh Du mental health education during practices or to a comparison activity while both groups continue the soccer program. Researchers collect questionnaires on coping skills, social connectedness, psychological well‑being, and physical activity before and after the program to compare outcomes. The intervention is delivered at Bamboo Roots in Winston‑Salem under the sponsorship of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and community coaches.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are Karenni-identifying boys aged 8–16 (with parental consent) or men aged 18+ who live in the Piedmont Triad, speak the required languages, and can attend weekly soccer practices for six months.
Not a fit: Those unlikely to benefit include people who cannot commit to regular attendance, individuals with severe psychiatric conditions needing clinical treatment, non‑Karenni community members, and adults excluded for criminal history involving potential harm to children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a low-cost, community-based way to strengthen coping, social ties, and overall well‑being among Karenni refugee boys and men.
How similar studies have performed: Previous programs combining sport and psychosocial support for refugee youth have shown modest gains in wellbeing and social connection, though soccer-based mental health education tailored to Karenni refugees is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * For child/minor participants: 8-16 years old, self-identifies as Karenni, self-identifies as a boy, speaks English, currently lives in Piedmont Triad area of NC, has parental consent, assents to participate * For adult participants--18 years of age, self-identifies as Karenni, self-identifies as a man, speaks English and Karenni, currently lives in Piedmont Triad area of NC, consents to participate, anticipates missing no more than 2 practices Exclusion Criteria: * \[for adult participants only\]: Criminal record indicating potential harm to children (i.e., convicted of a violent or sexual crime, registration in the Sex Offender Registry, Responsible Individual List, or Child Maltreatment Registry) or are expected to miss more than 2 practices
Where this trial is running
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Bamboo Roots — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ana D Sucaldito
- Email: adsucaldito@uncg.edu
- Phone: 336-334-3240
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.