HELP (HEalthy Lifestyles Project) for Youth With Mental Distress

This study will evaluate the efficacy of 6 months of HELP e-intervention access with kinesiologist support in a randomized controlled trial to determine if the changes in emotional health (primary outcome) and lifestyle behaviors (secondary outcomes) differ from changes among youth with delayed intervention access (control condition). Sustainability of the intervention will be assessed for an additional 6 months. Participants will be youth 12-17 years of age who contact youth mental health services. The unique HELP e-resources developed by the research team utilize age-appropriate graphics and interactive formats developed collaboratively with youth/parent/clinician partners. There are 4 sections: 1) Know Your Habits, 2) Physical Activity, 3) Screen Time, 4) Sleep. A kinesiologist will support participants in the intervention. Study assessments will be completed by researchers blind to study group allocation. Researchers will also evaluate the impact of the HELP e-intervention on the use of mental healthcare services, the need for mental health professional support of lifestyle behaviors and the association between self-reported and objectively measured lifestyle behaviors. It is hypothesized that youth engaging in the HELP e-intervention will have improved emotional health and enhanced lifestyle behaviors in comparison to those receiving the delayed (post 6-months) intervention. It is also hypothesized that changes during the intervention will be maintained for an additional 6 months, and that self-reported measures will accurately reflect objective measurements. Finally, it is hypothesized that youth engaging in the HELP e-intervention will require fewer youth mental health supports, and when supported will be less likely to require treatment directed at lifestyle behaviors.

Inclusion criteria

• Youth 12-17 years of age seeking, waiting for or receiving support for emotional distress.
• Able to provide informed consent to study participation.
• Able to engage in the HELP e-intervention in English (French translation of the e-modules will not be available until intervention efficacy is established).
• Willing to be randomized to a study group.
• Willing to complete objective behaviour measures if selected (1 of 3 participants).
• Willing to complete the study questionnaires.
• Willing to provide consent for evaluation of mental healthcare system outcomes via their health record.

Exclusion criteria

• Identified or suspected eating disorder
• Youth whose health or family status is deemed to be inappropriate for the study as per their most responsible clinician.