Co-developing tools to support student mental health and substance use: Minder app development from conceptualization to realization

Vereschagin, Melissa; Wang, Angel Y; Leung, Calista; Richardson, Chris; Hudec, Kristen L.; Doan, Quynh; Virk, Punit; Halli, Priyanka; Wojcik, Katharine D.; Munro, Lonna; Chai, Brandon S.; Mori, Tiana; Sha, Matthew; Mittertreiner, Em; Farkouh, Amar; Sigamany, Duke; Vigo, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.jbct.2023.02.002

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Co-design processes have been identified as an effective means of ensuring that e-tools meet the needs of the end users they are trying to help [ 15 ]. The Minder app used an extensive codevelopment process that allowed for many improvements to be made with direct input from students and the clinicians currently supporting them [ 16 ]. The positive impact and low rates of loss to follow-up in this trial provide some support for the general acceptability of Minder .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The codevelopment process consisted of ongoing student input through student staff members and volunteers along with several phases of purposeful student engagement and feedback. Further details on the codevelopment process can be found in the study by Vereschagin et al [ 16 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is also an Explore Chat located on the home page map that guides participants to select an activity that may be relevant to their current needs. A full list of the content included can be found in Multimedia Appendix 2 [ 16 ]. Most of the chat activities also contain a summary page that is unlocked upon completion of the chat activity and allows participants to review content they learned at a later time.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the basis of these requirements, we codeveloped a mental health and substance use mobile app called Minder for Canadian university students. This participatory codevelopment process involved significant input from students through the creation of a Student Advisory Committee, usability testing via a virtual boot camp (ie, individual user-testing combined with a web-based survey), focus groups, and a pilot feasibility study [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial

Vereschagin,

Wang,

Richardson

et al. 2024

J Med Internet Res

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Background University attendance represents a transition period for students that often coincides with the emergence of mental health and substance use challenges. Digital interventions have been identified as a promising means of supporting students due to their scalability, adaptability, and acceptability. Minder is a mental health and substance use mobile app that was codeveloped with university students. Objective This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Minder mobile app in improving mental health and substance use outcomes in a general population of university students. Methods A 2-arm, parallel-assignment, single-blinded, 30-day randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate Minder using intention-to-treat analysis. In total, 1489 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=743, 49.9%) or waitlist control (n=746, 50.1%) condition. The Minder app delivers evidence-based content through an automated chatbot and connects participants with services and university social groups. Participants are also assigned a trained peer coach to support them. The primary outcomes were measured through in-app self-assessments and included changes in general anxiety symptomology, depressive symptomology, and alcohol consumption risk measured using the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and US Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption Scale, respectively, from baseline to 30-day follow-up. Secondary outcomes included measures related to changes in the frequency of substance use (cannabis, alcohol, opioids, and nonmedical stimulants) and mental well-being. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to examine each outcome. Results In total, 79.3% (589/743) of participants in the intervention group and 83% (619/746) of participants in the control group completed the follow-up survey. The intervention group had significantly greater average reductions in anxiety symptoms measured using the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale (adjusted group mean difference=−0.85, 95% CI −1.27 to −0.42; P<.001; Cohen d=−0.17) and depressive symptoms measured using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (adjusted group mean difference=−0.63, 95% CI −1.08 to −0.17; P=.007; Cohen d=−0.11). A reduction in the US Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption Scale score among intervention participants was also observed, but it was not significant (P=.23). Statistically significant differences in favor of the intervention group were found for mental well-being and reductions in the frequency of cannabis use and typical number of drinks consumed. A total of 77.1% (573/743) of participants in the intervention group accessed at least 1 app component during the study period. Conclusions In a general population sample of university students, the Minder app was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, with provisional support for increasing mental well-being and reducing the frequency of cannabis and alcohol use. These findings highlight the potential ability of e-tools focused on prevention and early intervention to be integrated into existing university systems to support students’ needs. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05606601; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05606601 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/49364

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial

Vereschagin,

Wang,

Richardson

et al. 2024

J Med Internet Res

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“…e-Interventions that promote self-management and link students to in-person services represent a promising means of addressing needs related to substance use and mental health issues. The potential of digital mental health interventions (eg, web-based programs and mobile apps) has been widely promoted, as they are often easily scalable and as beneficial as in-person therapies in promoting university students' mental health [12][13][14]. Considering the high co-occurrence between mental health and substance use concerns [15], e-interventions are well positioned to offer low-barrier access to content supporting transdiagnostic approaches to interventions that acknowledge not only each individual concern but also their intersectionality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Codeveloped e-Mental Health Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Wang¹,

Vereschagin²,

Richardson³

et al. 2023

JMIR Res Protoc

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Background University life typically occurs during a period of life transition, where the incidence of mental health and substance use problems and disorders peaks. However, relatively few students obtain effective treatment and support. e-Interventions have proven effective in improving the psychological outcomes of university students and have the potential to provide scalable services that can easily integrate into existing models of care. Minder is a mobile app codeveloped with university students that offers users a collection of evidence-based interventions tailored to help university students maintain their mental health and well-being and manage their substance use. Objective This paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that aims to assess the effectiveness of the Minder app in improving the mental health and substance use outcomes of university students. Methods This study is a 2-arm, parallel assignment, single-blinded, 30-day RCT with 1 intervention group and 1 waitlist control group. Overall, 1496 (748 per trial arm) university students from the University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus (N=54,000) who are aged ≥17 years, have a smartphone with Wi-Fi or cellular data, and speak English will be recruited via a variety of web-based and offline strategies. Participants will be randomized into the intervention or control group after completing a baseline survey. Those randomized into the intervention group will gain immediate access to the Minder app and will be assessed at 2 weeks and 30 days. Those randomized into the control group will be given access to the app content after their follow-up assessment at 30 days. The primary outcomes are measured from baseline to follow-up at 30 days and include changes in general anxiety symptomology, depressive symptomology, and alcohol consumption risk measured by the General Anxiety Disorder 7-Item scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item scale, and US Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption Scale, respectively. Secondary outcomes include measures related to changes in the frequency of substance use, mental well-being, self-efficacy in managing mental health and substance use, readiness to change, and self-reported use of mental health services and supports (including referral) from baseline to follow-up at 30 days. Results Trial recruitment and data collection began in September 2022, and the completion of data collection for the trial is anticipated by June 2023. As of May 10, 2023, a total of 1425 participants have been enrolled. Conclusions The RCT described in this protocol paper will assess whether the Minder app is effective in improving the mental health and substance use outcomes of a general population of Canadian university students. Additional secondary outcome research aims to explore additional outcomes of interest for further research and better understand how to support students’ general mental well-being. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05606601; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05606601 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/49364

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Editorial

Eisenberg

Fitzsimmons‐Craft

2023

Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy

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Co-developing tools to support student mental health and substance use: Minder app development from conceptualization to realization

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Codeveloped e-Mental Health Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

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