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NCT Number: NCT06868303

The Effectiveness of Mental Wellness Youth Hubs in Hong Kong

This study sets out to evaluate (i) whether the model in phase two can improve symptoms, quality of life, functioning, and psychological outcomes in young people utilising the hub services (n = 600) compared to those in the community controls (n = 600), (ii) the mechanisms that may drive these improvements, and (iii) whether any particular subgroup(s) of youths (e.g., gender, socio-economic status, migrant status) may benefit more from this service model. The experiment group will include 600 hub users who are not currently using psychiatric medications and do not have a formal diagnosis at the time of enrolling in the hub activity. The control group will also comprise of 600 young people, recruited from a community cohort managed by the research team. The community cohort is accessible via the Youth Epidemiological Study Online platform (YES online), which recruits young people aged 12 to 24 years. Only YES online participants who are not using the service of LevelMind@JC and psychiatric medications will be recruited for this study. The two groups will be matched in age, gender, and baseline distress level measured by the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). There will also be a substudy assessing the effect of four service models: NLPRA eClinic, Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) step-up care, general practitioners, and hub casework support service on symptom-based mental health outcome, comparing a cohort of young people receiving these four services respectively. A total of 252 participants will be recrruited. Another substudy will be conducted to investigate the extent to which participation in Tier 1 activities contributes to improvements in targeted outcome areas, assessing young people (n = 675) before and after their participation of Tier 1 activities. A consecutive sampling will be used, where a subject who meets the criteria of inclusion will be selected until this required sample size is achieved.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Stress Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Stress, Psychological

Age range

12 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Community

Hong Kong

Location status: Recruiting

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • For hub user group: 12- to 24-year-old hub users who receive community-based mental wellness youth hub services for young people.
  • For community control group: 12- to 24-year-old community youths who do not receive any youth services in the community.
  • For eClinic user group: 12- to 24-year-old eClinic service users.

Exclusion criteria

  • Youths with known diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (including Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychotic Disorder)
  • Youths who receive psychiatric medication (including antidepressants, antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs)

Treatment and study plan

LevelMind@JC Mental Wellness Youth Hubs

Behavioral

Mental Wellness Youth Hubs Intervention aims to set up a series of community-based hubs for young people to enhance cognitive abilities, personal strengths and overall mental well-being. Among the experimental group participants (hub users), they are further divided into three tiers according to their psychological distress level. Tier 1 are youths with mild psychological distress level, who will be invited to participate in some innovative and interesting youth projects and activities (e.g., board game and floral artistry). Tier 2 are youths who have moderate level of psychological distress, or at risk for mental illness. Trained social workers will offer them with specific interventions (e.g., CBT, sleep intervention) according to their needs. Tier 3 are youths with severe level of psychological distress who are at risk for mental disorders. Diagnostic and medical assessment services will be delivered by psychiatrist or clinical psychologists.

New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association electronic clinic for psychological service

Behavioral

The eClinic treatment spans eight to fourteen week and is designed for individuals with moderate to severe mental health issues. The service is provided in a hybrid format, incorporating an in-person initial screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7, followed by online self-learning resources and sessions with a therapist. Pre- and post-treatment assessments as well as follow-ups will be used to keep track of service users' progress.

Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness

Behavioral

Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) are the main community-based mental health services in Hong Kong. However, their reach among young people is limited, as their broad target age range primarily focuses on middle-aged individuals. ICCMW offers comprehensive, district-based community support and social rehabilitation services, from early prevention to risk management, for people in mental recovery, those with suspected mental health issues, their families and carers, and residents within the service area, all accessible through a single-entry point.

General Practitioner

Other

Services provided by genersl practitioner

Hub Casework

Behavioral

Services provided during hub casework sessions

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Psychological Distress

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    The 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (scores range from 0 to 24 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome)

  2. Change in Well-being

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (scores range from 0 to 25 where a higher score indicates a better outcome)

  3. Change in Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    The 12-item Short-Form 12 Health Survey (scores range from 0 to 100 where a higher score indicates a better outcome)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Depressive, Anxiety, and Stress Levels

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (scores range from 0 to 63 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome)

  2. Change in Social and Occupational Functioning

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (scores range from 0 to 100 where a higher score indicates a better outcome)

  3. Change in Sleep Quality

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (scores range from 0 to 21 where a higher score indicates a worse outcome)

  4. Change in Physical Exercise

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (classify physical activity level into three categories: low, moderate, and high)

  5. Change in Self-Esteem Level

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (scores range from 0 to 30 where a higher score indicates a better outcome)

  6. Change in Psychological Resilience

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    The 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (scores range from 0 to 40 where a higher score indicates a better outcome)

  7. Change in Cognitive Function

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    Digit Span Test

  8. Change in Health Economics

    Time frame: Baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month

    Client Service Receipt Inventory

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Christy Lai Ming Hui, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+852 2255 4486

Yi Nam Suen, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+852 3917 6612

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Other

Collaborators

  • Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong
  • Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Children and Youth Services (HKCYS)
  • Hong Kong Christian Service
  • Hong Kong Federation of Youth's Group (HKFYG)
  • Hong Kong Playground Association (HKPA)
  • Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited
  • Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association
  • Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council
  • New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
  • St. James' Settlement
  • The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong
  • The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
  • The Salvation Army, Hong Kong and Macau Command
  • Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
  • Yan Oi Tong

Registry information

Official study title

A Quasi-controlled Study on the Effectiveness of Mental Wellness Youth Hubs in Hong Kong

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Mar 10, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 6, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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