Implementing a Peer Advocate Mental Health Digital Intervention Program for Ohio Youth: Descriptive Pilot Study (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.24605
• Publication Date: 2020-09-29T13:43:43Z
• Authors: Tashuna Albritton; Kelsey Lynett Ford; Kira Elsbernd; Melodie Santodomingo; Ivan Juzang; Pam Weddington; Sheana Bull
• Keywords: Stigma; Peer Support

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> In the United States, millions of adolescents report poor mental health, where 1 in 5 teenagers considers suicide. Reducing stigma and fostering peer support remains critical for positive health interventions programs. Increasingly, digital tools have emerged with great promise, leveraging social networks. Despite potential, limited understanding such comprehensive programs their implementation exist. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The objective this study investigates a piloted training program (Be Present) youth, specifically describing impact on youth behavioral outcomes user engagement identifying high-risk early phases prevention. <title>METHODS</title> Eligibility included Ohio residents (aged 14 to 22 years) be enrolled as either Friend or Peer Advocate. From May June 1, 2019, participants completed Advocate course, taking pretest posttest surveys. Single-arm descriptive analyses measured (self-efficacy, intentions, behaviors, support, knowledge, sources strength) assessed risk based survey responses. <title>RESULTS</title> A total 65 participated, 54 completing both majority non-Hispanic White females. Findings illustrated significant increase self-report referrals services well perceptions that had experiencing support; however, no differences were found measures self-efficacy, strength between Roughly two-thirds all modules, we observed gradual decline engagement. Most respondents who received escalated response messages identified female. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> pilot presented promise implementing focused observing reported youth. Various limitations exist given small nonrepresentative sample lack control group. All findings should considered preliminary larger trial underscore feasibility delivering online bolster adolescent health. Such formative evaluation proved future research, offering opportunity substantial improvements real-world