This study, run by Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, looks at whether an online mental health platform called ENYOY can help reduce psychological distress in young people aged 16 to 25 who are waiting for mental health care.
Young people can take part if they are experiencing mental health problems and are currently on a waiting list for mental health care. The study lasts 12 months. During this time, participants complete questionnaires four times: at the start of the study and after 3, 6, and 12 months.
After joining the study, participants are randomly placed into one of two groups:
* Intervention group: receives access to the ENYOY platform plus care as usual. * Control group: receives care as usual.
Young people in the intervention group can use the platform for the duration of the study, with three months of guidance from a coach and/or a peer with lived experience with mental health problems. The platform includes activities based on proven psychological methods. These activities help with issues such as low mood, anxiety, sleep problems, and low confidence. Participants also have access to a safe online community where young people can talk, share experiences, and support each other. The community is moderated to keep it safe and supportive.
Taking part may help reduce psychological distress and improve participants' mental health. There are no known risks associated with taking part in this study.
Participant recruitment will take place from May 2026 to December 2027. Final follow-up assessments are expected to be completed by December 2028. The study is funded by ZonMw.
For questions, you can contact Sascha Struijs ([email protected]) or Fenna Hellegers ([email protected]).
Age 16-25 years
On a waiting list for mental healthcare.
Able and willing to consent.
A score of 10 or higher on the CORE-10 questionnaire.
Insufficient command of the Dutch language.
Present with acute suicidal behavior or imminent risk of harm to self.
If their psychiatric symptoms are due to an organic cause.
Prior exposure to ENYOY or MOST.
Parallel
ENYOY
BehavioralENYOY is an evidence-based digital mental health platform co-created with young people. It combines four main elements: interactive therapeutic content, guidence by coaches and/or peers with lived experience with mental health complaints, and a moderated online community. The therapeutic content is based on approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and is tailored into "journeys" that match a young person's needs, such as improving mood, reducing anxiety, or building confidence. Users can explore activities and build a personal toolkit. The online community offers young people a safe social space where they can connect, share experiences, and support each other. Engagement is encouraged through discussions, prompts, and optional anonymous participation. Safety is closely monitored through both human moderation and automated systems that detect risk.
Care As Usual
Other interventionYoung people in the control condition receive Care As Usual.
Psychological distress
Psychological distress will be measured using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-10 measurement (Barkham et al., 2013). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 40. Higher scores indicate higher levels of psychological distress.
Psychological distress
Psychological distress will be measured using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-10 measurement (Barkham et al., 2013). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 40. Higher scores indicate higher levels of psychological distress.
Functioning
Functioning will be measured using Work and Social Adjustment Scale - youth version (WSAS-Y; Jassi et al., 2020). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 40. Higher scores indicate greater impairment in functioning.
Quality of life
Quality of life will be measured using the My Life Tracker measurement (MLT; Kwan et al., 2018). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 100. Higher scores indicate a better quality of life. We will also use the Co-created outcome measure (YAG, YOUTHreach consortium). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 124. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of life.
Depression
Depression will be measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; Kroenke et al., 2001). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum is 27. Higher scores indicate a higher level of depression.
Reach
Reach will be measured using the number of individuals consenting to, participating in, initiating ENYOY, and dropping out during the intervention period.
Adoption
Adoption will be measured using the number and profile of sites and delivery agents trained and actively delivering ENYOY during the intervention period.
Implementation
Implementation will be measured by the extent to which ENYOY components are delivered and used as intended, using structured checklists and platform-derived usage data.
Implementation
Implementation will be measured using the User Version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS; Stoyanov et al., 2016). The minimum score is 1 and the maximum score is 5. Higher score indicate a higher quality of the application. Additionally, a bespoke ENYOY satisfaction measure will be used.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Academisch Medisch Centrum - Amsterdam UMC Research BV
Lead sponsor
Levvel
Collaborator
Psychiatric Clinic of Mondriaan Heerlen-Maastricht
Collaborator
