My Avenue to HelP - Adaptive Mentalization-based Integrative Treatment Compared to Management As Usual for Youths with Multiple Problems: a Non-Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

Launched by PIA JEPPESEN · Mar 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The My Avenue to HelP (MAP) trial is testing a new way to support young people aged 12 to 17 who are dealing with various social and mental health challenges. This study focuses on using a method called Adaptive Mentalization-Based Integrative Treatment (AMBIT), which helps professionals from different fields work together to provide better care and support for these vulnerable youths. The goal is to create lasting positive changes in their lives, even after the program ends. The MAP project will run from 2025 to 2027 and will include 60 participants from Region Zealand, Denmark.

To be eligible for the trial, young people must have documented issues such as school absences, risky behaviors like substance use, or repeated emergency visits, along with a diagnosed mental disorder. They will also need consent from their parents or guardians. Participants will take part in a one-year intervention, where they will receive tailored support from a team of professionals. Throughout the study, both the youths and their parents will provide feedback to help evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. If you or someone you know fits these criteria, this trial may offer a valuable opportunity for support and improvement in mental health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Criterium A) Documented record of multiple problems defined as at least 2 of the following: (i) Absence from school / non-adherence to education (ii) Risk behaviors like alcohol or cannabis abuse, or repeated suicide attempts or self-harm requiring somatic treatment.(iii) Repeated visits at emergency-, trauma-, or acute wards. And/or one of the following: (iv) Contact with police or legal justice system. (v) Homelessness within the last year.
• • Criterium B) Age 12-17 years at time of inclusion.
• • Criterium C) Strong indication of mental disorders defined as a diagnosis of a mental disorder. The type of mental disorders will be further substantiated using the DAWBA after recruitment (Goodman et al., 2000).
• • Criterium D) Written/signed informed consent from all legal guardians (in most cases both parents) and oral consent from youths aged 15 years and older. Written/signed informed consent from the youths themselves will be collected when they turn 18 if they do so during the study period.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Indications of substantial intellectual disability corresponding to IQ below 50, or a level of daily and social functions that do not enable participation in research (e.g., if the young person is not deemed to have the capacity to understand the implications of the study and provide oral consent).
• • Not living in Region Zealand.