Va Meh Du: A Sports-based Mental Health Promotion Intervention for Karenni Refugees
Continuing and Expanding Va Meh Du, A Mental Health Promotion Program for Karenni Refugee Children and Emerging Adults
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
60 participants
May 17, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a soccer program focused on mental health positively impacts mental health in Karenni refugee young boys and men. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does mental health education provided during a sports program improve mental health coping for Karenni refugee young boys and men? Does participation in a sports-program improve social connection for Karenni refugee young boys and men? Researchers will compare those receiving mental health education to a comparison group to see if mental health education improves mental health coping skills. Participants will: Participate weekly soccer practices for 6 months Receive mental health education or comparison activities Answer questions about their health, such as their coping skills, social connection, and physical activity
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria2
- For child/minor participants: 8-16 years old, self-identifies as Karenni, self-identifies as a boy, speaks English, currently lives in Piedmont Triad area of NC, has parental consent, assents to participate
- For adult participants--18 years of age, self-identifies as Karenni, self-identifies as a man, speaks English and Karenni, currently lives in Piedmont Triad area of NC, consents to participate, anticipates missing no more than 2 practices
Exclusion Criteria1
- \[for adult participants only\]: Criminal record indicating potential harm to children (i.e., convicted of a violent or sexual crime, registration in the Sex Offender Registry, Responsible Individual List, or Child Maltreatment Registry) or are expected to miss more than 2 practices
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Interventions
Participants randomized to Va Meh Du (mental health education) will receive 20-30 minutes of mental health education each week for roughly 5 weeks. Mental health education will be evidence-based, using sports psychology practices, and culturally targeted toward Karenni refugees.
Participants randomized to comparison will receive 20-30 minutes of team-building activities each week for roughly 5 weeks.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT06921499