This project's focus is twofold-to change the culture of an employment training program for adolescents and young adults (Youth Opportunities, or "YO") to more fully address the many mental health issues faced by its participants and to expand and improve the quantity and quality of mental health services for YO members. Four project components have been carefully selected to address the mental health issues of YO members: (1) Mental health education/training for YO staff and peer leaders, (2) Mental health education activities for YO members, (3) mental health screening on all newly enrolling YO members, and (4) comprehensive mental health services for YO members. These project components will be implemented at the HEBCAC YO Program (subsequently referred to as "Eastside" YO), with the Westside YO Program initially participating as a control site. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Adolescent Health, led by Dr. Darius Tandon of the Department of Pediatrics, will conduct the research examining the effectiveness of these mental health services and supports. There are four project objectives. First, the proposed activities will increase YO members' knowledge of mental health resources and decrease stigma associated with seeking mental health services. Second, the investigators will see an increase in YO members' receipt of needed mental health services. Third, the investigators will see improvement in YO members' mental health. Fourth, as a result of their improved mental health, YO members will more actively engage in YO program activities and achieve more key program milestones (e.g., GED completion). These objectives are sequential, with later objectives predicated on the achievement of earlier ones.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
782
This study uses a quasi-experimental design to test the efficacy of a comprehensive mental health intervention to improve the mental health and employment outcomes of young adults (18-24) enrolling in the Eastside YO Program. Newly enrolling Eastside YO members will receive an array of mental health education and services based on level of need and serve as this study's intervention group. Newly enrolling Westside YO members will receive "usual care" services delivered by the staff at the Westside YO Program and serve as this study's comparison group.
Baltimore City Eastside and Westside Youth Opportunity Centers
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Depressive symptoms
Time frame: November 2008-November 2012
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