A brief overview of the project

Mental health disorders affect over 1.1 billion people worldwide, with significant consequences for individuals and societies. The connection between mental health and poverty is particularly stark, as mental health issues often deepen poverty, limit social mobility, and hinder economic prosperity by disrupting educational achievement among those with the highest potential for economic advancement. However, access to effective care remains limited, especially in low-resource settings.

To address this gap, we are conducting a large-scale randomized controlled trial in Colombia to evaluate the impact of digital mental health technology on mental health, educational, and economic outcomes for low-income students. In collaboration with the Colombian government, we are embedding this trial within a national program that supports higher education for low-income students, namely Renta Joven. Colombia faces a pressing mental health crisis, particularly among young adults, making this intervention both timely and critical.

Our approach involves creating a cutting-edge digital platform based on transdiagnostic therapy principles, incorporating tools grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The platform includes six modules—motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, problem-solving, interpersonal effectiveness, sleep strategies, and PTSD symptom management (featuring cognitive reappraisal and mindfulness). An additional emotional regulation toolbox offers users flexibility to access resources as needed. This comprehensive, scalable approach aims to provide sustainable mental health support to those who need it most.

Work Packages

The Youth Well-Being project is structured into four key work packages, each aligned with a primary project objective. These work packages are designed to ensure comprehensive engagement with Renta Joven participants and to meet the project’s goals effectively.

Co-developing a Locally Tailored Intervention

This work package focuses on co-designing a scalable, sustainable intervention that meets the unique needs of young people in the Renta Joven program who experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. By engaging local stakeholders, we aim to create an intervention that is culturally appropriate and readily adaptable.

Hybrid Type 2 Effectiveness-Implementation Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

In this work package, we implement and evaluate the mental health intervention within the Renta Joven program to assess its feasibility and effectiveness in a real-world context. This evaluation will provide evidence to support potential scaling of the intervention across Colombia and other low- and middle-income countries.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and Socioeconomic Impact Modeling

We will conduct a health economic evaluation, including a cost-utility analysis to assess the intervention’s impact on mental health outcomes. This will involve estimating the costs associated with delivering the intervention, along with projected outcomes. Additionally, we will model potential long-term impacts on mental health and human capital, comparing intervention costs with anticipated reductions in future health and social costs to generate return-on-investment estimates.

Establishing the Latin American Policy Impact Group

This work package leverages insights gained from the Colombian implementation to formulate a strategy for co-developing, testing, and deploying a mental health intervention within existing social programs in other Latin American countries. Our goal is to provide robust evidence and engage policymakers to encourage governments in Colombia, Honduras, Bolivia, El Salvador, and Guatemala to integrate mental health support into youth social protection programs.

If you are interested in collaborating with Youth Well-Being, please complete the form on the contact page.

All photos feature participants from the Renta Joven program, provided courtesy of Prosperidad Social