Mental Health Literacy and Mental Health Promotion With Urban Refugee Youth in Kampala, Uganda

Summary

From our previous studies, we know that urban refugee youth commonly report depressive symptoms. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of youth-tailored interventions to improve mental health literacy and reduce mental health stigma among urban refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda. There will be two intervention arms and one control arm. The first intervention arm will involve a VR experience that focuses on mental health literacy and coping strategies, as well as SMS check-ins from peer navigators (PN) trained in psychological first aid. The second intervention arm will involve an adapted version of the WHO's Group Problem Management Plus. The primary outcomes are to a) increase mental health literacy (knowledge and understanding of mental health generally and of specific disorders; b) increase attitudes towards mental health help-seeking, c) reduce depression, d) increase adaptive coping strategies; e) reduce mental health stigma, f) improve mental wellbeing, and g) increase level of functioning. Participants will complete a pre- and post-intervention survey as well as a follow-up survey.

Conditions

• Mental Health

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

VR + MHL intervention

The intervention will include: 1) a Virtual Reality (VR) interactive and immersive 30-minute session viewed using a low cost VR headset; and 2) an 8-week program of weekly WelTel SMS check-ins managed by Peer Navigators (PNs), weekly WelTel SMS blasts informed by Psychological First Aid (PFA) with mental health literacy (MHL) messages developed with PN, and weekly WelTel web-based secure platform social group discussions on MHL, stress coping, and stigma moderated by PN alongside a trained Coordinator. Weekly MHL WelTel platform moderated discussion foci will address MHL, stigma and stress coping strategies, including self-compassion and other strategies that emerge from the urban refugee youth interviews and focus groups, through diverse methods, including: 'scenarios' mimicking real life situations; a 'question box'; sharing photos demonstrating stress coping strategies; memes; songs; and ways participants interrupted stigma in their daily lives.

BEHAVIORAL

Group PM+

Participants will attend small groups (5-6 participants with a PN and a coordinator supporting) outdoors with physically distancing, for Group PM+ sessions following the adapted WHO Group-PM+ manual (adaptations made in Phase 1 explain above) 5 weekly 3-hour sessions delivered by PN who will co-facilitate sessions with the Coordinator. Each session has a mechanism of action: 1. Managing stress: mechanism of action-identify goals, learn deep breathing and techniques for stress management 2. Managing problems: mechanism of action-identify 1 solvable practical problem, brainstorm possible solutions together 3. Get going, keep doing: mechanism of action-learn about depression and inactivity, identify and plan small enjoyable activities 4. Strengthen social support: mechanism of action-discuss a range of social support resources, make plan to increase social support 5. Staying well: mechanism of action- this session reviews all of the mechanisms of action in the prior 4 sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Young African Refugees for Integral Development

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Toronto

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Carmen Logie, PhD · University of Toronto

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

25 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-01-31

Primary Completion

2022-05-27

Completion

2022-05-27