In this lab, we conduct collaborative, multi-disciplinary projects to achieve our goals. Currently, we are engaged in a series of studies examining the utility of mentoring for the prevention of mental health problems. Below are a few of our initiatives:
Task-shifting and task-sharing mental health care. In partnership with Dr. Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel (Dept. of Psychiatry at University of Minnesota) and RiseUp Red Wing, we are working to expand access to evidence-based practices (EBPs) in rural communities by “task-shifting” delivery from professional providers to youth mentors. We are specifically examining the feasibility and clinical outcomes of mentor-delivered IPT-AST (i.e., an adolescent depression prevention program typically delivered by professionals). Within this line of research, we developed a novel multi-level just-in-time training implementation strategy (JITT-EBP) that aims to equip mentors and mentor supervisors to implement an EBP with fidelity using methods that are sustainable in rural communities.
Within this initative, we are also developing and testing new ways of training young people and adults to share the work of mental health care. With our MENTOR Minnesota colleagues, we developed the Mental Health Ambassador program, which equips youth and adults with relevant mental health information, skills, and resources, so that they feel knowledgeable and confident talking to young people and peers about mental health. Youth-led advocacy projects are cornerstone to the program and involve implementing creative solutions to local problems.
Emotion Coaching. Emotion coaching is a relational co-regulation approach to meeting youth’s emotional needs that was first discovered in high quality parent-child relationships. We are developing and testing this approach within youth mentoring relationships. Our studies in this area involve an open trial and pilot randomized controlled trial.
Campus Connections. Campus Connections is an community-based intervention targeting adolescents exposed to a range of adverse experiences, co-developed by Dr. Weiler and colleagues at Colorado State University (Drs. Shelley Haddock, Toni Zimmerman, and Jen Krafchick). Campus Connections is a multidisciplinary service-learning course where undergraduate students serve as mentors to youth for four hours per week over 12 weeks. During that time, mentors support healthy socio-emotional development by forging a positive mentoring relationship and participating in positive youth development activities. Family therapist trainees facilitate the program. We are currently evaluating program effectiveness, as well as factors associated with better outcomes.
Fostering Healthy Futures. Fostering Health Futures is a collaborative project with Dr. Heather Taussig at the University of Denver. Fostering Healthy Futures is a 9-month mentoring-based preventive intervention for children with child welfare involvement who have experienced maltreatment. In this program, children are mentored in one-to-one relationships with graduate students in social work and related fields and participate in weekly skills groups facilitated by mental health professionals. Fostering Healthy Futures is an evidence-based intervention with demonstrated outcomes across multiple domains. We are currently evaluating long-term outcomes and identifying who is likely to benefit.