Clarkston

Researchers are evaluating a group-level mental health intervention called Weyera designed for Ethiopian and Eritrean youth aged 18 to 29 living in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. This intervention aims to improve mental health and resilience by offering culturally relevant support focused on psychoeducation, coping skills, and open group discussions. The study seeks to find out if this approach is acceptable, feasible, and safe for this community before conducting a larger trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention involves attending eight weekly group sessions lasting about two hours each, led by trained community health workers. Each session covers topics such as mental health basics, stress, identity, family relationships, trauma, and navigating mental health services, alongside practicing coping strategies like mindfulness. Throughout the study, participants will complete surveys at baseline, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and for the waitlist group, 8 months after enrollment. Researchers will assess satisfaction, acceptability, recruitment rates, retention, adherence to the intervention, and monitor any adverse events up to six months. Participants will also provide feedback immediately after each session to help evaluate the program's impact and safety.