App-based Intervention to Promote Mental Health Help-seeking Among University Students

Development and Evaluation of a Digital Technology-based Programme for Detecting Suicidal Risk and Promoting Help-seeking Among University Students: a Feasibility Study (Pilot RCT)

It is estimated that approximately one in three university students has a mental health problem and between 5-10% have active suicidal ideation. Most college students do not receive professional treatment, which has been associated with structural and attitudinal barriers to help-seeking. Given that young people regularly use the internet to seek information about health problems, internet and digital technology-based interventions could represent an effective approach to overcome attitudinal barriers.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a mobile app-based intervention for the promotion of help-seeking in mental health services for university students at risk of suicide. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is it feasible to implement a mobile app-based intervention for the promotion of mental health help-seeking in a university context?
• Is it possible to increase the likelihood of help-seeking in mental health services among university students at risk of suicide through an app-based intervention?

Participants will receive a brief contact intervention (via phone call or chat) where they will be assessed by a clinical psychologist, receive information on available support services and instructions to download and use a mobile app called "Take Care of Your Mood". In addition, the participants can request a counseling session with a clinical psychologist. Participants will also receive reminder messages (by email and chat) motivating them to use the app or request a counseling session with a psychologist if they deem it necessary.

Researchers will compare this intervention with a brief contact intervention (control group) where participants will be assessed by a clinical psychologist, will receive instructions to download and use the app, but will not receive reminder messages or be able to access a counseling session with a psychologist.

Inclusion Criteria:

• University students who have completed the Longitudinal Survey of University Student Mental Health (ELSAM), based on The WHO World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative
• Suicidal ideation during the last 12 months
• Have access to Internet, email and Smartphone
• Agree to participate in the research through informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently undergoing mental health treatment (psychological or psychiatric)
• High suicidal risk during the last 30 days and/or 3 months [answer "yes" to questions 4 and 5 (last 30 days) and/or question 6 (last 3 months) of the C-SSRS]