The Effectiveness of Mental Wellness Youth Hubs in Hong Kong

ConditionMental Stress

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age12-24

SponsorThe University of Hong Kong

About this trial

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.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

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.

Disqualifiers

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)

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

LevelMind@JC Mental Wellness Youth Hubs
Behavioral
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.
New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association electronic clinic for psychological service
Behavioral
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.
Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness
Behavioral
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.
General Practitioner
Other intervention
Services provided by genersl practitioner
Hub Casework
Behavioral
Services provided during hub casework sessions

Treatment groups

1,300 Participants

are divided into 6 treatment groups

Treatment groups

See each treatment group below.

Group A: Hub User GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Non-hub User Community Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions

Group C: eClinic User GroupActive comparator 1 intervention

Group D: ICCMW groupActive comparator 1 intervention

Group E: GP groupActive comparator 1 intervention

Group F: Hub Casework grpupActive comparator 4 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Change in Psychological Distress

The 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (scores range from 0 to 24 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome)

Time frame