Mental Stress
Conditions
Keywords
Youth Mental Health
Brief summary
This study sets out to evaluate (i) whether the model in phase two can improve symptoms, quality of life, functioning, and psychological outcomes in young people utilising the hub services (n = 600) compared to those in the community controls (n = 600), (ii) the mechanisms that may drive these improvements, and (iii) whether any particular subgroup(s) of youths (e.g., gender, socio-economic status, migrant status) may benefit more from this service model. The experiment group will include 600 hub users who are not currently using psychiatric medications and do not have a formal diagnosis at the time of enrolling in the hub activity. The control group will also comprise of 600 young people, recruited from a community cohort managed by the research team. The community cohort is accessible via the Youth Epidemiological Study Online platform (YES online), which recruits young people aged 12 to 24 years. Only YES online participants who are not using the service of LevelMind@JC and psychiatric medications will be recruited for this study. The two groups will be matched in age, gender, and baseline distress level measured by the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). There will also be a substudy assessing the effect of four service models: NLPRA eClinic, Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) step-up care, general practitioners, and hub casework support service on symptom-based mental health outcome, comparing a cohort of young people receiving these four services respectively. A total of 252 participants will be recrruited. Another substudy will be conducted to investigate the extent to which participation in Tier 1 activities contributes to improvements in targeted outcome areas, assessing young people (n = 675) before and after their participation of Tier 1 activities. A consecutive sampling will be used, where a subject who meets the criteria of inclusion will be selected until this required sample size is achieved.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALLevelMind@JC Mental Wellness Youth Hubs
Mental Wellness Youth Hubs Intervention aims to set up a series of community-based hubs for young people to enhance cognitive abilities, personal strengths and overall mental well-being. Among the experimental group participants (hub users), they are further divided into three tiers according to their psychological distress level. Tier 1 are youths with mild psychological distress level, who will be invited to participate in some innovative and interesting youth projects and activities (e.g., board game and floral artistry). Tier 2 are youths who have moderate level of psychological distress, or at risk for mental illness. Trained social workers will offer them with specific interventions (e.g., CBT, sleep intervention) according to their needs. Tier 3 are youths with severe level of psychological distress who are at risk for mental disorders. Diagnostic and medical assessment services will be delivered by psychiatrist or clinical psychologists.
BEHAVIORALNew Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association electronic clinic for psychological service
The eClinic treatment spans eight to fourteen week and is designed for individuals with moderate to severe mental health issues. The service is provided in a hybrid format, incorporating an in-person initial screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7, followed by online self-learning resources and sessions with a therapist. Pre- and post-treatment assessments as well as follow-ups will be used to keep track of service users' progress.
BEHAVIORALIntegrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness
Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) are the main community-based mental health services in Hong Kong. However, their reach among young people is limited, as their broad target age range primarily focuses on middle-aged individuals. ICCMW offers comprehensive, district-based community support and social rehabilitation services, from early prevention to risk management, for people in mental recovery, those with suspected mental health issues, their families and carers, and residents within the service area, all accessible through a single-entry point.
OTHERGeneral Practitioner
Services provided by genersl practitioner
BEHAVIORALHub Casework
Services provided during hub casework sessions
Sponsors
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong
Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Christian Service
Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council
St. James' Settlement
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association
Yan Oi Tong
Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
The Salvation Army, Hong Kong and Macau Command
Hong Kong Playground Association (HKPA)
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited
Hong Kong Children and Youth Services (HKCYS)
Hong Kong Federation of Youth's Group (HKFYG)
The University of Hong Kong
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
The experiment group will include 600 hub users who are not currently using psychiatric medications and do not have a formal diagnosis at the time of enrolling in the hub activity. The control group will also comprise of 600 young people, recruited from a community cohort managed by the research team. For the substudy examining the impact of the service model, a total of 252 participants will be recruited, with 63 individuals selected from each of the following groups: those receiving services through NLPRA eClinic, accessing care via the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) step-up program, managed by general practitioners, and isupported by hub casework services. For the substudy evaluating the impact pf Tier 1 activities, young people experiencing Tier 1 distress levels (determined by K6 \< 11), who have participated only in Tier 1 activities, will be recruited.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* For hub user group: 12- to 24-year-old hub users who receive community-based mental wellness youth hub services for young people. * For community control group: 12- to 24-year-old community youths who do not receive any youth services in the community. * For eClinic user group: 12- to 24-year-old eClinic service users.
Exclusion criteria
* Youths with known diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (including Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychotic Disorder) * Youths who receive psychiatric medication (including antidepressants, antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Psychological Distress | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | The 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (scores range from 0 to 24 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome) |
| Change in Well-being | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (scores range from 0 to 25 where a higher score indicates a better outcome) |
| Change in Quality of Life | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | The 12-item Short-Form 12 Health Survey (scores range from 0 to 100 where a higher score indicates a better outcome) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Social and Occupational Functioning | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (scores range from 0 to 100 where a higher score indicates a better outcome) |
| Change in Sleep Quality | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (scores range from 0 to 21 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome) |
| Change in Cognitive Function | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | Digit Span Test |
| Change in Self-Esteem Level | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (scores range from 0 to 30 where a higher score indicates a better outcome) |
| Change in Psychological Resilience | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | The 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (scores range from 0 to 40 where a higher score indicates a better outcome) |
| Change in Physical Exercise | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (classify physical activity level into three categories: low, moderate, and high) |
| Change in Health Economics | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | Client Service Receipt Inventory |
| Change in Depressive, Anxiety, and Stress Levels | Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month | The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (scores range from 0 to 63 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome) |
Countries
Hong Kong
Contacts
Primary ContactChristy Lai Ming Hui, PhD
Backup ContactYi Nam Suen, PhD
Outcome results
None listed