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Our Voices Matter: Intervention for Depression in Youth

Our Voices Matter: Racial Justice Activism Intervention to Address Structural Racism and Prevent Depression in Black and Latinx Youth

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
15 Years to 20 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Time periods mentioned: 2 years
  • Procedures mentioned: Questionnaires, Blood draws

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "The investigators will collect psychological and physiological measures at baseline, then at defined intervals for 2 years post the racial justice activism intervention."
  • "Participants in both the intervention and control arms will report depressive symptoms on a clinically relevant measure (e.g., Patient Health Questionnaire-9) at baseline and then \<1-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24- months post-initial 5-day activism or life skills training."
  • "Participants in both groups will have biometric samples, like blood draws, and clinical measurements of allostatic load at baseline and then 6-,12-, and 24- months post-initial 5-day activism or life skills training."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether a group program focused on racial justice activism can prevent or reduce signs of depression and the effects of stress on the body. It is for Black and/or Latinx teens and young adults ages 15–20. The study team will track mental and physical health for 2 years after the program.

Over 15 million people participated in racial justice protests nationwide during 2020-2021 spotlighting activism as a collective tool against structural racism and discrimination (SRD). SRD manifests as policies and practices (e.g., redlining, voter suppression, mass incarceration) that produce hostile environments that contribute to psychological distress, elevated allostatic load, and an elevated risk for chronic diseases and premature death, concentrated within Black and Latinx populations. While the connection between SRD and health is well documented, few studies provide evidence on strategies to reduce SRD and mitigate consequences on psychological and physiological outcomes. Thus, there is a critical need to rigorously test interventions that improve the mental and physical health of Black and Latinx populations, beginning in adolescence. The study's specific aims are to 1) Determine whether a racial justice activism behavioral intervention prevents and reduces depressive symptoms in Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults and 2) Determine whether a racial justice activism behavioral intervention lowers allostatic load scores in Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults. To accomplish these aims, the team will conduct a stage II group-based, multi-component, and multilevel randomized behavioral clinical trial. The investigators will collect psychological and physiological measures at baseline, then at defined intervals for 2 years post the racial justice activism intervention.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Are 15–20 years old.
  • Identify as Black and/or Latinx.
  • Speak English.

Who can't join

  • Are younger than 15 or older than 20.
  • Cannot attend sessions in person.
  • Do not speak English fluently.
  • Do not identify as Black or Latinx.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 15-20 years old 2. Identify as Black and/ or Latinx 3. Speak English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Younger than 15 years old, or older than 20 years old 2. Unable to attend the in-person sessions 3. Non-fluent English speaker 4. Do not identify as Black or Latinx

Study sites (1)

IL