African Youth in Mind (Y-MIND) - Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Brief Psychological Intervention for Young People with Depression in Zimbabwe

Launched by KING'S COLLEGE LONDON · Feb 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The African Youth in Mind (Y-MIND) trial is a study looking at a new way to help young people aged 15 to 24 who are struggling with depression in Harare, Zimbabwe. The researchers want to see if a brief psychological program, called Y-MIND, can be effectively delivered by trained lay counselors. This program consists of six sessions designed to support young people dealing with depression. The trial will also check how well participants accept this program and gather some early information about its effects on their mood over the course of five months.

To join the study, participants need to be between 15 and 24 years old and score above a certain level on a questionnaire that measures depression. They should also be willing to follow up for five months and provide consent (or assent with a caregiver's help if under 18). However, those currently receiving treatment for mental health issues or dealing with severe mental or physical health problems are not eligible. Overall, this trial aims to find effective ways to support young people facing mental health challenges in a community setting.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Young people aged 15-24 years
• • Scoring 11 or more on the locally validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for those aged 18+ and 10 or more on the Patient Health Questionnaire Adolescent (PHQ-A) for those \< 18 years.
• • Willing and able to be followed up for 5 months.
• • Willing and able to provide informed consent if aged 18+, or, if aged below 18, willing and able to give informed assent and to approach a caregiver for informed consent procedures
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Currently receiving any psychological treatment for any common mental disorder through formal health care services
• • Active major mental disorder, advanced physical illness which would interfere with their ability to take part in the study or are actively suicidal (assessed through screening using the P4 screener).
• • Those with visual and/or hearing impairment; defined as being unable to see and read the intervention manual or hear the interventionist sitting approximately 1 metre away. This will be assessed at informed consent procedures.