Depression and Suicide Ideation

The study will adapt and deploy a digital Behavioral Activation app with mobile sensing, supported by health coaches, that encourages youth to engage in positive activities. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable behavioral intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among at-risk youth. This research will examine specifically whether an intervention involving an app called Vira, combined with health coaching (GET ActivE) can improve enjoyment for teens coping with depression. Research participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study intervention. One study intervention involves a) downloading an app called Vira and engaging by responding to a daily question, and b) participating in a conversation via text, phone, or messages through an appt with a health coach. The health coach will use the Vira app and principles from evidence-based therapy and behavior change to provide users with insights to sustain well-being and better manage risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors such as depressed mood and behavioral withdrawal. The second study intervention involves downloading an app called EARS and responding to a daily question.

This PN-RCT replicates and evaluates an 8-week warm calling treatment (i.e. caring contacts) delivered to older adults receiving home and community-based services (HCBS; classified as "homebound") in 20-30 minute call "dosages", across 3 conditions, while adding in implementation science measures at multiple levels. Conditions include 2 treatment (i.e. treatment provided by helpers trained in a standardized and manualized Belongingness and Empathy training grounded in narrative reminiscence and the befriending literature (BE condition), and treatment provided by helpers trained in BE + a standardized, manualized, and evidence based suicide intervention training, the Aging Variant of LivingWorks ASIST (BE + ASIST condition), and 1 control (no treatment during the trial; opportunity to receive treatment after the 8 weeks). At the conclusion of treatment, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, useability, and sustainability of the program will be evaluated by interventionists, senior center leadership, and regional leadership.

This pilot study examines the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted psychological intervention-Problem Management Plus with Emotional Processing (PM+ EP)-for young Afghans aged 16-30 experiencing high psychological distress. Through a pilot randomized control trial and qualitative interviews, the study explores whether PM+ EP can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and aggression, and improve daily functioning. Findings will inform the potential for a larger trial and address critical mental health and violence prevention needs in conflict-affected Afghan communities.