JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a devastating youth mental health crisis in the U.S., characterized by an all-time high prevalence of youth mental illness. This crisis is exacerbated by limited access to mental health services and the reduction of mental health support in schools. Mobile health (mHealth) platforms offer a promising avenue for delivering tailored and on-demand mental health care.

Objective:

To address the lack of youth mental health services, we created the Science Technology Engineering Social and Emotional Learning (STEMSEL) study. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of a digital mental health intervention, Neolth, in enhancing social and emotional well-being, reducing academic stress, and increasing mental health literacy and life skills among adolescents.

Methods:

The STEMSEL study will involve the implementation and evaluation of Neolth across four distinct phases. In Phase 1, a comprehensive needs assessment will be conducted across three diverse schools, each employing a range of teaching methods, including in-person, online, and hybrid modalities. Following this, in Phase 2, school administrators and teachers undergo intensive training sessions on Neolth’s functionalities and intervention processes, as well as understanding barriers and facilitators of implementing a digital mental health program at their respective school. Phase 3 involves recruiting middle and high school students aged 11-18 from the participating schools, with parental consent and student assent obtained, to access Neolth. Students will then be prompted to complete an intake questionnaire, enabling the customization of available modules to address their specific needs. Finally, Phase 4 will include a year-long pretest-posttest pilot study to rigorously evaluate the usability and effectiveness of Neolth in addressing the mental health concerns of students across the selected schools.

Results:

Phase 1 has been successfully completed in August 2023, revealing significant deficits in mental health resources within the participating schools. The needs assessment identified critical gaps in available mental health support services. We are currently recruiting a diverse group of middle and high school students to participate in the study. The study’s completion is scheduled for 2024, with data expected to provide insights into the real-world usage of Neolth among the adolescent population. It is designed to deliver findings regarding the intervention’s efficacy in addressing the mental health needs of students.

Conclusions:

The STEMSEL study plays a crucial role in assessing the feasibility and adoption of digital mental health interventions within the school-aged youth population in the United States. The findings generated from this study have the potential to dismantle obstacles to accessing mental health assistance and broaden the availability of care through evidence-based strategies.