Va Meh Du: Soccer program with mental health education for Karenni refugees
Official title: Continuing and Expanding Va Meh Du, A Mental Health Promotion Program for Karenni Refugee Children and Emerging Adults
Run by University of North Carolina, Greensboro · NCT06921499 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests whether adding mental health education to weekly soccer helps Karenni boys and men improve coping skills and social connection.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 8 Years and up |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of North Carolina, Greensboro Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 17, 2025 |
| Main results expected | October 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 8, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06921499 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
Bamboo Roots
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ana D Sucaldito
- Email: adsucaldito@uncg.edu
- Phone: 336-334-3240
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.