Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Culturally Adapted START NOW Skills Training for Reducing Mental Health Issues in Migrant Youth Ages 14 to 18

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted version of the skills-training program START NOW in reducing mental health problems among adolescent migrants. The study focuses on youth migrants aged 14 to 18 who face higher risks of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety due to their resettlement experiences. Researchers want to determine if this adapted training is more effective than usual treatment in supporting psychological health and resilience in this vulnerable group. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the intervention group receiving the culturally adapted START NOW training or the control group receiving treatment as usual TAU. The START NOW training includes 10 group sessions led by facilitators sharing the participants cultural background and language. These sessions teach skills to manage emotions, change negative attitudes, and improve resilience over a 10-week intervention phase. During the study, participants undergo three assessments at baseline, after the 10-week intervention, and at a 12-week follow-up. Researchers will measure changes in depression and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, social-ecological resilience, and facial emotion recognition. The study helps understand how the adapted training affects mental health outcomes over time under medical supervision.

START NOW Adapted: Culturally Adapted Version of START NOW