Youth Mental Health First Aid for Supporting South Asian American Youth

Overseen By Cixin Wang, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Maryland, College Park

Disqualifiers: Non-South Asian, YMHFA trained, Mental health professionals

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

250 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to tailor the Youth Mental Health First Aid training specifically for South Asian American adults who support youth in their community. The goal is to enhance understanding and improve attitudes and behaviors regarding youth mental health among this group. Participants will shape the training through focus groups and test its effectiveness. This trial suits South Asian American adults working with youth aged 8-18 who have not previously completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid training. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to culturally relevant mental health resources.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this training is safe for South Asian American youth?

Research has shown that Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is generally safe and well-received. This program trains adults to better recognize and respond to mental health issues in young people.

As an educational program rather than a medical treatment, YMHFA poses no risk of physical harm. Studies with Asian American communities have demonstrated that YMHFA can be adapted to fit cultural needs without causing issues. Participants in these studies reported positive experiences.

Since YMHFA is not a drug or medical procedure, safety concerns differ. The focus is on how well the training enhances understanding and support for mental health, rather than on physical safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Youth Mental Health First Aid because it offers a culturally tailored approach to supporting South Asian American youth, a group that may experience unique mental health challenges not adequately addressed by standard treatments like individual therapy or medication. Unlike traditional methods, this program emphasizes community-based education and intervention, empowering peers and adults in the community to identify and respond to mental health issues early. This proactive and inclusive strategy could bridge gaps in understanding and access, fostering a more supportive environment for young people navigating mental health concerns.

What evidence suggests that Youth Mental Health First Aid is effective for supporting South Asian American youth?

Research shows that Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training boosts confidence in recognizing and addressing young people's mental health needs. Studies have found that those who complete YMHFA training are better at identifying mental health issues in youth and providing initial support. This trial will compare the effectiveness of YMHFA training in an experimental group with a waitlist control group. The training aims to improve understanding, attitudes, and actions related to mental health, especially when tailored for specific groups, like South Asian Americans. Evidence suggests that these cultural adaptations enhance the training's effectiveness by considering important cultural factors. Overall, YMHFA has a proven record of helping adults better support youth mental health. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Cixin Wang, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Maryland, College Park

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for South Asian American adults who work with or support South Asian American youth. It's designed to help them improve their approach to mental health issues in young people. Participants should be interested in learning and applying new strategies.

Inclusion Criteria

Have not taken and completed YMHFA training before

I am a South Asian American adult working with youth aged 8-18.

Exclusion Criteria

Have taken and completed YMHFA training before

Mental health professionals/those with a mental health background

I am not a South Asian American adult over 18.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Focus Groups

Conduct focus groups with SAA adults and youth to gather information for cultural adaptation of YMHFA

4 weeks

Multiple sessions (in-person or virtual)

Training

Participants undergo the adapted Youth Mental Health First Aid training

1 day

1 session (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Survey data collected to assess improvements in mental health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors

4 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Youth Mental Health First Aid

Trial Overview The study is testing an adapted version of Youth Mental Health First Aid training, tailored specifically for the needs of South Asian American adults supporting youth. The effectiveness will be measured by how it changes knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding youth mental health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Experimental Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Group II: Waitlist Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Maryland, College Park

Lead Sponsor

Trials

163

Recruited

46,800+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022440525000214

Cultural adaptation of youth mental health first aid training ... Asian American youth are also less likely to receive school-based mental health services (SBMHS) compared with their non-Asian peers. Culturally adapting the ...

2. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/307675/effects-of-youth-mental-health-first-aid-ymhfa-on-south-asian-american-adults-working-with-south-asian-american-youth/

Effects of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) on South ... This study aims to adapt the Youth Mental Health First Aid training to better meet the needs of South Asian American adults who support South Asian American ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18387357.2024.2345234

Cultural considerations for youth mental health first aid ... This study aims to identify culturally relevant factors impacting youth mental health and examine culturally sensitive ways to adapt Youth Mental Health First ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11445357/

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: Impact on the Ability ... This study examined changes in participants' confidence in their ability to recognize and support youth mental health needs 1 to 2 months after training.

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-experimental-5-2025-37d12

Youth Mental Health First Aid for Supporting South Asian ... This study aims to adapt the Youth Mental Health First Aid training to better meet the needs of South Asian American adults who support South Asian American ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10107592/

Cultural Adaptation of the teen Mental Health First Aid ... This paper outlines the adaptation process, including engaging participants, identifying key recommendations for modification, and making changes to the tMHFA ...

7. mentalhealthfirstaid.org mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2018-MHFA-Research-Summary.pdf

Research Summary AUTHOR ABSTRACT: Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a public education program designed to improve youth mental health outcomes by training adults to ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/394282692_Culturally_Adapted_Youth_Mental_Health_First_Aid_on_Mental_Health_Service_Use_Among_Asian_American_Families_A_Quasi-Experimental_Design

Culturally Adapted Youth Mental Health First Aid on ... Thirty-one Asian immigrant parents (Mage = 45.55, SD = 3.6) and 24 Asian American youth workers (Mage = 23.17, SD = 3.67) participated in YMHFA.