Development and Evaluation of a Digital Technology-based Programme for Detecting Suicidal Risk and Promoting Help-seeking Among University Students: a Feasibility Study (Pilot RCT)
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Suicidal Ideation
- Sponsor
- University of Chile
- Enrollment
- 60
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- User Experience
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
It is estimated that approximately one in three university students has a mental health problem and between 5-10% have active suicidal ideation. Most college students do not receive professional treatment, which has been associated with structural and attitudinal barriers to help-seeking. Given that young people regularly use the internet to seek information about health problems, internet and digital technology-based interventions could represent an effective approach to overcome attitudinal barriers.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile app-based intervention for the promotion of help-seeking in mental health services for university students at risk of suicide. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Is it feasible to implement a mobile app-based intervention for the promotion of mental health help-seeking in a university context?
- Is it possible to increase the likelihood of help-seeking in mental health services among university students at risk of suicide through an app-based intervention?
Participants will receive a brief contact intervention (via phone call or chat) where they will be assessed by a clinical psychologist, receive information on available support services and instructions to download and use a mobile app called "Take Care of Your Mood". In addition, the participants can request a counseling session with a clinical psychologist. Participants will also receive reminder messages (by email and chat) motivating them to use the app or request a counseling session with a psychologist if they deem it necessary.
Researchers will compare this intervention with a brief contact intervention (control group) where participants will be assessed by a clinical psychologist, will receive instructions to download and use the app, but will not receive reminder messages or be able to access a counseling session with a psychologist.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •University students who have completed the Longitudinal Survey of University Student Mental Health (ELSAM), based on The WHO World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative
- •Suicidal ideation during the last 12 months
- •Have access to Internet, email and Smartphone
- •Agree to participate in the research through informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Currently undergoing mental health treatment (psychological or psychiatric)
- •High suicidal risk during the last 30 days and/or 3 months \[answer "yes" to questions 4 and 5 (last 30 days) and/or question 6 (last 3 months) of the C-SSRS\]
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
User Experience
Time Frame: 3 months post-randomization
The Standardized User Experience Percentile Rank Questionnaire for Mobile Apps (SUPR-Qm) will be used. The SUPR-Qm is a 16-item instrument that assesses a user's experience of a mobile application. The questionnaire has 16 items with responses on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a better evaluation of the app.
Response, drop-out and adherence rates
Time Frame: 3 months post-randomization
Data will be collected on the number of eligible individuals and those who enter the study. The response rate of participants and the adherence and dropout levels of participants during follow-up will also be evaluated.
Acceptance
Time Frame: 3 months post-randomization
Acceptance will be assessed through 7 questions on perceived usefulness and relevance of the intervention, degree of engagement and participation, among others. The responses are made in a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate more acceptance of the program.
User Satisfaction
Time Frame: 3 months post-randomization
Semi-structured interviews (n=15) will be conducted to explore participants' experience, evaluation of the app content, and opinions on potential changes to be included in the intervention.
Secondary Outcomes
- Willingness to change(3 months post-randomization)
- Access to treatment(3 and 6 months post-randomization)
- Suicidal risk(3 months post-randomization)
- Intention to help-seeking(3 months post-randomization)
- Barriers to accessing treatment(3 months post-randomization)