Overview

This study seeks to respond to the growing burden of adolescent mental health disorders and urgent preventive service needs in Kenya by studying the effectiveness of a digital health intervention- mobile health (mHealth) Toolkit for Screening & Empowering Lives of Youth (mSELY)-that has demonstrated feasibility from our prior pilot study. The investigators will build on this work and examine two versions of mSELY. The mSELY-A is designed for adolescents to self-evaluate and manage psychological wellbeing/mental health needs, as well as to gain resources and access and connect with adolescent peers. The mSELY-P is designed for parents to self-evaluate their adolescent's development and mental health, gain awareness about their adolescent's mental health status, and learn strategies and resources to support adolescents' mental health. Both versions provide screening, tailored mental health literacy materials, and decision support for adolescents and/or their parents. This study will examine the effectiveness of these digital interventions using a randomized control trial with diverse community-based organizations in Kenya. In addition, the investigators will study underlying mechanisms that contribute to intervention effectiveness, as well as to use the data for precision medicine analysis (using machine learning approach). Findings will be used to improve Digital-Toolkit decision support functions and accuracy of mental health precision care.

Eligibility

Adult parent and adolescent child will be enrolled in this study as a family.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parent is over 18 years of age
• Parent has as an adolescent child between 11-14 years of age who attend one of our partnering schools/community-based organizations (CBOs).
• Parent is willing and able to provide consent for themselves and provide assent for their child
• Adolescent is between 11-14 years in age who attend one of our partnering schools/CBOs.
• One of adolescents adult parent (>18 years old) is "interested in" participating in this study
• Adolescent is willing and able to provide child assent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parents (including biological and non-biological) who have no contact with adolescents for over 1 month