Study protocol: It takes a village: Development and testing of 'Village' a communication application for young people who are experiencing low mood and suicidal ideation to obtain real-time support from a network of family and friends

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: suicide; Mental Health - Suicide

• Registration Number: ACTRN12620000241932
• Lead Sponsor: Starship Foundation

Brief Summary

Results: Participants were primarily recruited via social media advertisements and clinicians in specialist mental health services over an 8-month period. Twenty-six young people (‘users’) were enrolled in the trial, of which 21 recruited friends and family members (‘buddies’) and completed quantitative outcome measures at baseline, 4 weeks and 3 months. Thirteen users and twelve buddies also provided qualitative feedback about the app, identifying key themes of (i) appeal of app features and layout; (ii) usefulness of its content; and (iii) technological challenges (primarily with onboarding and notifications). Users gave Village a mean rating of 3.8 out of 5 (range 2.7-4.6) on a 5-point scale for app quality and an overall star rating of 3.4 out of 5 for subjective quality. Within this limited sample, users reported a clinically meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms, but no changes in suicidal ideation and functioning. Embedded risk detection software was activated on three occasions and no additional support was required for users. Conclusion: During this open trial, Village was found to be acceptable, usable and safe. Feasibility of a larger trial was also confirmed following some modifications to the recruitment strategy and app.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2020-02-26
• Study Completion: 2021-03-31
• Last Update Posted: 10 October 2022

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 27

Inclusion Criteria

Participants will include 20 young people aged 13-18 years of any gender who have presented to acute or community mental health services with suicidal ideation (frequent or with a plan), a suicide attempt or both within the past 4 weeks. Eligible participants will have access to an iPhone or an-droid mobile telephone, reside in the ADHB catchment area (i.e. Auckland), be undertaking any kind of routine care (including psychotherapy and medication), speak adequate English and be able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who do not meet all the inclusion criteria will be excluded.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Acceptability of VIllage app with young people and support people (buddies) using qaulitative interviews and the uMARS scale[4 weeks following the start of the intervention]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in level of suicidal ideation measured via the SIQ-JR scale[4 and 12 weeks following start of intervention];Change in level of depression measured via the PHQ-A scale[4 and 12 weeks following start of intervention];Change in level of functioning using the WHODAS 2.0 scale (used instead of the previously nominated CAFAS scale) .[4 and 12 weeks following start of intervention]