Evaluating a Virtual Mentoring Program Plus Mental Health Videos for Teens

This clinical trial evaluates Appa Health, a mental health smartphone and computer app for teenagers. Appa is built from two components. Component #1 shares short TikTok-style videos with teens to cover techniques from a science-backed mental health treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These videos are designed by mental health experts and delivered by mental health influencers. Component #2 pairs teens with peer mentors with similar life experiences, who help guide teens through each week's video content. All peer mentors are trained and supervised by licensed mental health experts. The researchers believe Appa Health improves teens' mental health and well-being through teens' strengthened relationships and support from their mentor, as well as through the skills they gain through watching the videos. This study hopes to understand: (1) whether these Appa Health components improve teens' mental health and well-being, (2) how these components might improve teen outcomes, and (3) costs associated with each of these components. To answer these questions, the researchers will compare two versions of Appa support: Appa Complete and Appa Lite. Appa Complete involves pairing teens with mentors and sharing videos. Appa Lite involves only sharing videos with teens. First, the researchers will conduct a small version of this study to test procedures. Seventy-five teenagers (13-18 years old) with high depression or anxiety scores will be randomly given either: Appa Complete (mentoring + videos), Appa Lite (videos only), or a Waiting List Control. Based on the results of this smaller study, the researchers will change study procedures to improve teens' experiences and engagement in this research. After completing this smaller study, the researchers will run a larger version of the same study with 400 more teens. After teens are randomly given Appa Complete, Appa Lite, or a Waiting List Control, the researchers will test whether Appa's two treatment components improve teens' depression, anxiety, well-being, and other related outcomes. The researchers expect both Appa Complete and Appa Lite will improve teens' outcomes more than the Waiting List Control. The researchers also expect Appa Complete will improve teens' outcomes more than Appa Lite. The researchers will also measure costs associated with giving teens both treatment components and use this information to improve Appa's services for future teens.