How a youth-led Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) partnership addressed mental health disparities: From problem to program

Developing programs in CBPR settings can be challenging, especially when the community is youth. We developed specific strategies to guide the conceptualization of intervention principles and apply them to program development. Albert's Leaders of Tomorrow (A.L.O.T.), our youth-led CBPR team, identified mental health as the most important health disparity facing Bronx Black and Latino youth. It identified three principles to guide interventions: 1) provide universal “positive” mental health programming; 2) provide affected teens with youth-friendly services in community settings where they already are, from clinicians they already know; and 3) use youth as ambassadors to other teens to educate and reduce stigma. Based on these principles, A.L.O.T. developed BxTHUNDER, a 14-session group-based youth development (YD) program that builds skills and competencies; educates about mental health symptoms and stigma; and incorporates strategies to manage stress. One-on-one counseling is available from facilitators (principle 2). BxTHUNDER culminates in an internship where participants educate peers through workshops (principle 3). A randomized trial of BxTHUNDER is being implemented in multiple community sites. We will describe strategies for collaborating with youth to design interventions (e.g., learning about existing program models; participating in elements of programs; defining positive mental health; expert consultation). Youth were able to articulate their needs and engage with adults to develop a sustainable youth-friendly program. The process was demanding and required both experiential and traditional learning strategies. A.L.O.T.‘s principles are innovative; BxTHUNDER is unlikely to have emerged without partnering with youth.