Clinical trials

This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and probable impact of a low intensity psychosocial intervention program designed to help individuals to manage their stress levels. Consequently, this study will implement and measure the feasibility, randomization, retention, assessment procedures, and preliminary effects of the Self-Help Plus (SH+) program developed by the World Health Organization. This intervention, which has been used among immigrants and has proven to be effective, is intended to be implemented for the first time among distressed young Turkish-speaking women in Türkiye (ages between 18 and 29). Participants who will receive this intervention program will be compared with others in the control group who experience similar stress levels but will not receive SH+ during the trial period. Participants in the control group will receive SH+ after the completion of follow-up assessments at 3 months.

University students' psychological well-being is a growing public health concern. University life involves major psychological, social, and academic changes, increasing vulnerability to mental health issues. Group-based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has been shown to support student well-being effectively. However, interventions tailored to specific cultural and contextual needs are more likely to be helpful. Western-based therapy models may not fully align with non-Western populations, such as students in Türkiye. In Türkiye, public mental health services are often limited to short psychiatric consultations, while therapy is typically accessed privately. University counselling centres offering free or low-cost therapy are therefore essential. Cost-effective interventions like group DBT may be especially valuable in these settings. To address this gap, culturally adapted DBT groups should be developed and evaluated for Turkish university students. This study is part of the UniWELL Project (sister to UniWELL-C) and examines the effectiveness of DBT-informed emotion regulation groups for Turkish students. Any Bogazici University student aged 18+ is eligible. Exclusion criteria include severe mental illness, high risk of harm to self/others, or scoring below threshold on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16), as these students may require more individual support. The study includes participation in an 8-session DBT-informed group. Participants are expected to benefit from free psychological support, guided reflection, and shared experiences with peers. The research will also contribute to the evidence base for culturally adapted interventions. There are some risks: participants may feel overwhelmed during the sessions or while completing questionnaires. If so, support will be provided by a clinical psychology master's student and/or the group facilitator, under supervision of an experienced clinical psychologist. If a participant's risk increases, they will be referred to psychiatric services. An emergency contact will be requested to ensure safety if needed. The study will take place at Bogazici University through the Translational Clinical Psychology Lab, in collaboration with BUREM. It is expected to run for at least one year, possibly extending up to three years. The study is partially funded by the Bogazici Scientific Research Projects Unit (20022). Dr Ayse Akan ([email protected]) is the study lead and main contact.

University students' psychological well-being is a growing public health concern. The university period is a key time for psychological, social, and academic development, which can increase vulnerability to mental health difficulties. Research suggests that group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective, cost-efficient option for promoting student well-being. However, tailored interventions that reflect the cultural and contextual needs of specific populations are more likely to be effective. Western-based models of therapy may not always align with the cultural norms and experiences of students in countries like Türkiye. In Türkiye, publicly accessible mental health services are limited, often reduced to short psychiatric consultations. Psychological therapies are primarily accessed privately, making free or low-cost university mental health services particularly valuable. Therefore, culturally adapted group CBT interventions may play a crucial role in supporting student mental health. This study, part of a larger project, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT-based anxiety groups specifically tailored for Turkish university students. Eligible participants are Bogazici University students aged 18 and over. Exclusion criteria include severe mental illness, high risk of harm to self or others, or scoring below the threshold on the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These individuals may require more specialized, individual support. The study includes participation in an 8-session CBT-based group focused on anxiety management. Participants may benefit from free psychological support, peer connection, and professional guidance. The study also contributes to the scientific literature by assessing the effectiveness of culturally adapted group interventions. There are risks: participants may experience distress during sessions or while completing questionnaires. Support will be available from a master's student and/or the group therapist, under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist. If a participant's risk increases, they will be supported in accessing psychiatric care. An emergency contact will be required for safety. The study will run at Bogazici University in collaboration with BUREM and the Translational Clinical Psychology Lab, led by Dr. Ayse Akan ([email protected]). It is partially funded by Bogazici Scientific Research Projects (20022) and is expected to run for 1-3 years.