Testing a Culturally-Responsive Mental Health Engagement Program for Young Adults from Minority Groups Aged 18 to 34

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a culturally-responsive mental health engagement program designed for young adults from racial and ethnic minority groups who are enrolled in community-based mental health services. This study aims to test new components added to the existing Just Do You intervention, which previously showed promise in keeping young adults connected to their treatment. The trial focuses on improving engagement and increasing mental health service use among these diverse young adults over a 24-month period. The trial will recruit 80 young adults aged 18 to 34 from minority groups receiving outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation services. All participants will first receive the core Just Do You program, which uses creative arts and a team including a licensed clinician and a peer professional to support recovery and mental health literacy. Participants will then be randomly assigned to one of eight groups receiving different combinations of three new culturally-responsive components addressing cultural identity, motivation, and environmental factors. Each participants intervention will last up to five weeks. During the study, participants will complete baseline assessments, followed by evaluations immediately after the intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. Researchers will measure participant acceptability, qualitative feedback, adherence to the intervention, and mental health service use. Engagement with child protective services will also be assessed. The study seeks to understand how these new components support ongoing connection to mental health care over an average of two years.

A Mental Health Services Engagement Program for Racial and Ethnic Minority Young Adults