Digital Delivery of Evidence-Based Mental Health Content and Mentoring to Adolescents

PROJECT SUMMARY. This Direct-to-Phase II SBIR proposal will study Appa Health, a smartphone and computer-based mental health application for adolescents. Appa combines (1) delivery of concise, evidence-based mental health skills via engaging educational videos informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and (2) trained, supervised mentors with relatable, non-clinical backgrounds who provide structured guidance to facilitate adolescents’ engagement with digital content. According to Appa’s theory of change, mentorship supports adolescent well-being both directly (through emotional and practical support) and indirectly (by encouraging use of core skills like cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation). The study will assess the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the full Appa experience compared to a digital-only version and a waitlist control. A pilot (N=75) will inform procedures and retention strategies, followed by a randomized clinical trial (N=400) evaluating outcomes on depression, anxiety, well-being, and user engagement. The project addresses the national mental health workforce shortage by testing a model that integrates non-clinical guidance with expert-designed digital content. Appa's innovation lies in combining accessible mentoring with youth-oriented video delivery formats to increase engagement with evidence-based strategies. The study will also inform Appa’s commercialization efforts, particularly in education and employer markets seeking scalable, outcome-driven mental health tools. Cost-effectiveness analysis will guide product design and service delivery strategies.