Mental health literacy of young adults receiving housing assistance and their assistants – situational analysis and feasibility of the “Talk-to-Me” Mass Open Online Course

A wide range of mental and behavioral disorders with an early onset can severely impair psychosocial functioning during the transition to adulthood, challenging an individual’s ability to fulfil the demands of adult roles.

As a strategy to maximize the outcomes of young adults with conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders, eligible individuals access social services support in the form of housing assistance (support for daily living provided by the municipality) in accordance with the Social Services Act.

In our ongoing research, evaluating a support program for young adults receiving housing assistance, we have observed a need for greater understanding and support for the mental health needs of this vulnerable group.

The first phase of the proposed research is a situational analysis, obtaining the views of the young adults themselves and housing assistants.

Data underpinning this step will be drawn from national registers and interviews with young adult service users, housing assistance, and representatives from the managerial level.

The second phase of this planned project will adapt the Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) “Talk-to-Me”, an evidence-based on-line program designed to improve the mental health and prevent suicide in young adults, to the context of housing assistance. The feasibility will be tested in four large- to mid-sized municipalities.

All housing assistants working with the target group will be offered the MOOC, while young service users (aged 18-29-years) will be randomized to immediate or delayed access. Outcomes of interest will include mental health literacy, help-seeking attitudes, and self-efficacy. Participatory research, practitioner research and translation are integral parts of all phases of the project.

Our research group includes a PhD student who is working as housing assistant herself. A young adult recipient of housing assistance will also be recruited as a research assistant.