Symposium 70 - Leveraging Digital Mental Health Interventions to Increase Access to Care Among Marginalized Racial-Ethnic Groups

Chair(s)

• 

  Alexandra Silverman, M.A. (she/her/hers)

  Doctoral Student
  University of Virginia
  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia
• GR

  Giovanni Ramos, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

  Graduate Student
  University of California, Irvine
  Los Angeles, California

Discussant(s)

• AA

  Adrian Aguilera, Ph.D.

  Associate Professor
  University of California, Berkeley
  Berkeley, California

Presenter(s)

• CS

  Colleen Stiles-Shields, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

  University of Illinois at Chicago
  Chicago, Illinois
• 

  Alexandra Silverman, M.A. (she/her/hers)

  Doctoral Student
  University of Virginia
  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia
• KN

  Keara Neuman, M.S. (she/her/hers)

  Graduate Student
  Florida International University
  Miami, Florida
• GR

  Giovanni Ramos, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

  Graduate Student
  University of California, Irvine
  Los Angeles, California
• IS

  Ian Sotomayor, B.A. (he/they)

  Lab Coordinator
  Stony Brook University
  Brooklyn, New York

Marginalized racial-ethnic groups are less likely to access mental health services than White individuals, despite experiencing similar rates of mental health problems (Cook et al., 2019). Numerous factors contribute to these mental health disparities, including structural (Manseau, 2015), logistical (Miranda et al., 2015), and provider-level barriers (Stockdale et al., 2008). While no single approach will address these impediments, digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) could reduce this unmet need. Directly tied to this year’s conference goals to improve access to evidence-based care through technological advances and to increase inclusivity to combat systemic injustice and historical exclusion of minoritized populations, this symposium will highlight novel approaches to develop, evaluate, and implement DMHIs to increase access to mental health services among members of marginalized racial-ethnic groups. 

The first two presentations use mixed-methods and user-centered design methodologies to develop and assess DMHIs. The first presenter will describe the involvement of minoritized youth in the co-development of a digital screening and mental health referral system in primary care clinics. The second presenter will discuss mixed-methods results on the pilot feasibility and acceptability of a culturally enhanced, Spanish translation of a web-based anxiety intervention among Spanish-speaking, Latinx individuals. Both studies exemplify diverse methodologies that could ensure the design and implementation of culturally relevant DMHIs.

The third study will examine the acceptability and satisfaction of a telehealth implementation of parent-child interaction therapy for racially-ethnically minoritized youth with developmental delays and their caregivers. This study provides crucial data suggesting that DMHIs are well tolerated by marginalized users, reporting high treatment satisfaction and a strong therapeutic alliance with care providers.  

The last two presenters discuss the results of randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of self-guided DMHIs for racially-ethnically minoritized individuals exposed to stressors related to marginalization. First, reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression are examined in a self-guided, app-based mindfulness meditation program for racial-ethnic minoritized individuals affected by elevated levels of discrimination. Then, data on a single-session intervention for racially-ethnically minoritized LGBTQ+ youth that draws on principles from minority stress and intersectionality theories will be presented. Together, these studies support the effectiveness of low-intensity DMHIs for groups affected by significant social stressors. 

Finally, a leading expert in research on DMHIs for vulnerable populations and digital health equity will discuss the implications of these studies and how DMHIs can be leveraged to increase access to care and reduce racial-ethnic mental health inequities.