JoyPop App for Mental Health Improvement

Overseen By Aislin R Mushquash, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lakehead University

Disqualifiers: Non-Indigenous, Under 18, Over 25, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

110 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the use of the JoyPop app to enhance mental health support for Indigenous youth in Northwestern Ontario. The app helps with emotion regulation while young people wait for mental health services. The study compares two groups: one using the app alongside usual support, and another receiving only usual support. The trial seeks Indigenous youth aged 18 to 25 who are on a wait-list for mental health services at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and have access to an iOS device. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative mental health solutions tailored for their community.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a mental health app, so you may not need to change your medication routine.

What prior data suggests that the JoyPop app is safe for Indigenous transitional-aged youth?

Research shows that the JoyPop app serves as a helpful tool for mental health support. In earlier studies, users found it engaging and of high quality. No serious problems have been reported from using the app. Testing with Indigenous youth revealed it to be easy to use and practical. Although detailed safety data remains limited, positive feedback from these studies suggests the app is safe for mental health support. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the JoyPop app because it offers a novel approach to improving mental health by integrating digital technology into everyday life. Unlike traditional therapy or medication, which can be time-consuming and costly, JoyPop provides a convenient and accessible way to support mental well-being through a smartphone app. This app is designed to be used alongside usual mental health practices, offering users interactive tools and resources that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. The potential for immediate, user-friendly support makes JoyPop a promising addition to current mental health strategies.

What evidence suggests that the JoyPop app is effective for improving mental health in Indigenous youth?

Research shows that the JoyPop app, which participants in this trial may receive, can help young people manage their emotions and improve their mental health. Studies have found that the app links to better resilience, helping users handle their feelings more effectively. Early results suggest it is especially useful for young people dealing with mental health issues. The app boosts emotional well-being while users wait for traditional mental health services. This makes JoyPop a promising tool for youth who need mental health support. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Aislin R Mushquash, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Lakehead University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Indigenous transitional-aged youth (18-25 years old) in Northwestern Ontario who are on the wait-list for mental health services. Participants must be able to attend an orientation and have access to an iOS device, although a loaner iPhone with the JoyPop app will be provided if needed.

Inclusion Criteria

Eligible youth will also need to be available to attend a virtual or in-person orientation session

Participants will need access to an iOS device (e.g., iPhone, iPad) in order to download the JoyPop app. Refurbished iPhones containing just the JoyPop app will be provided to participants to use for the duration of the trial if they do not have access to their own.

I am an Indigenous youth aged 18-25 waiting for mental health services at Dilico.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive access to the JoyPop app for 4 weeks while being monitored through existing wait-list practices

4 weeks

Regular phone calls to check in and assess functioning

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in emotion regulation and mental health difficulties after the treatment phase

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• JoyPop

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of a mental health app called JoyPop, designed to help with emotion regulation. It's being compared against usual practice while participants await mental health services. The comparison is done through a randomized controlled trial.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Usual Practice + JoyPop Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be monitored through the existing wait-list practices, which involve regular phone calls to check in and assess functioning, and will receive access to the JoyPop app for 4 weeks.

Group II: Usual Practice Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be monitored through existing wait-list practices which involve regular phone calls to check in and assess functioning. After 4 weeks in the Usual Practice condition, participants will be offered access to the JoyPop app.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lakehead University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

29

Recruited

3,900+

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

220+

Citations

1. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1503428/full

Acceptance of a mental health app (JoyPop TM ) for ... The JoyPopTM app was designed to improve youth resilience and emotion regulation. The JoyPopTM app is associated with improved student MH, but ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11367905/

Promoting mental health and wellbeing among post ... The objectives of this research are to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of the JoyPop™ app in improving emotion regulation skills (primary outcome) ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11876143/

Acceptance of a mental health app (JoyPopTM) for ... The JoyPopTM app is associated with improved student MH, but its acceptance has yet to be evaluated quantitatively. The present study used the Unified Theory of ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06239545

JoyPop Mobile Mental Health App With Transitional-Aged ... Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, the primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of the JoyPop app in improving emotion regulation ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1265120/full

results of a pilot study of the JoyPop app with social work ... Background: The JoyPop™ smartphone app is a digital intervention designed to enhance day-to-day resilience in youth, particularly those exposed to ...

6. humanfactors.jmir.org humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e65472

Usability and Quality of the JoyPop App - JMIR Human Factors Conclusions: Results align with prior research evaluating the JoyPop app and maintain that it is an engaging and high-quality mental health app ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10588183/

Exploring the feasibility of a mental health application ... The purpose of the current study was to explore the accessibility and feasibility of the JoyPop™ app with Indigenous youth living on reserve.

8. trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-024-08424-y

Promoting mental health and wellbeing among post ... - Trials Prior research suggests that the JoyPop™ app will be associated with positive change in emotion regulation and mental health over time as ...