Building an HIV Learning Health Care Community for Youth in Florida: Opportunities and Challenges.

In Florida, 33% of new HIV infections among men and 21% of new infections among women are among those younger than 29 years of age. We describe the development of a Learning Health Care Community for youth (Y-LHCC) in Orange County, FL. Its core implementation team (iTeam) was composed of representatives from community agencies and academics, whose work was informed by data from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and regional research, in-depth interviews (IDIs) with agency representatives, and a pilot implementation of Tailored Motivational Interviewing (TMI) to improve service provision. IDIs revealed limited programming specifically for youth, significant structural challenges providing them with PrEP, and differences in use of evidence-based behavioral interventions to improve HIV services. FDOH provided data on new HIV infections, linkage to care, viral suppression, and PrEP coverage, however, limitations such as minimal data on PrEP referrals and use, agency level data, and inability to generate data quarterly (which would facilitate program improvement) were encountered. Thirty staff members from five agencies serving youth in Orange County participated in TMI training. About half the agency staff (n = 16) completed at least three of the four online training sessions. MI skills improved from pre- (n = 28; M = 1.96) to post TMI training (n = 11; M = 2.48, SD = 0.57); (t(37) = - 3.14, p = 0.0033). The iTeam held seven remote meetings and two in-person half-day meetings at the end of the study, during which they reassessed areas of focus for improving youth services. They also reiterated their commitment to continuing to meet beyond the study period and to engage other agencies in the newly established coalition. Findings highlight the potential of creating a Y-LHCC in Florida as well as some of the challenges that will need to be overcome to achieve ending the HIV Epidemic goals for young people in the region.

RESUMEN: En Florida, el 33% y 21% de las nuevas infecciones del VIH entre hombres y mujeres, respectivamente, fueron entre personas menores de 29 años de edad. Describimos el desarrollo de una Comunidad de Aprendizaje de Atención Médica para jóvenes (Y-LHCC) en el Condado de Orange, FL. Su equipo central de implementación (iTeam) estuvo compuesto de representantes de agencias comunitarias y académicos, cuyo trabajo se basó en datos del Departamento de Salud de Florida (FDOH) e investigaciones regionales, entrevistas en profundidad con representantes de agencias y un programa piloto de implementación de la Entrevista Motivacional a la Medida (TMI) para mejorar la prestación de servicios. Las entrevistas revelaron poca programación específica para los jóvenes, desafíos estructurales significativos para proporcionarles PrEP, y diferencias en el uso de intervenciones conductuales basadas en evidencia para mejorar los servicios de VIH. El FDOH proporcionó datos sobre nuevas infecciones por el VIH, vinculación con la atención médica, supresión viral y cobertura de PrEP. Sin embargo, se encontraron limitaciones en la data, tales como datos limitados sobre derivaciones u uso de PrEP, falta de datos a nivel de agencia, e incapacidad para generar datos trimestrales (lo que facilitaría la mejora de programas en la agencia). Treinta miembros del personal de cinco agencias que atienden a jóvenes en el Condado de Orange participaron en la capacitación de TMI. Aproximadamente la mitad del personal de la agencia (n = 16) completó al menos tres de las cuatro sesiones de capacitación remota. Las habilidades de MI mejoraron desde antes (n = 28; M = 1.96, SD = .042) hasta después del entrenamiento de TMI (n = 11; M = 2.48, SD = 0.57); (t(37) = − 3.14, p = 0.0033). El iTeam realizó siete reuniones remotas y dos reuniones en persona de medio día al final del estudio, durante las cuales reevaluaron las áreas de enfoque para mejorar los servicios para jóvenes. También reiteraron su compromiso de continuar reuniéndose más allá del período de estudio y de involucrar a otras agencias en la coalición recién establecida. Los hallazgos destacan el potencial de crear un Y-LHCC en Florida, así como algunos de los desafíos que deberán superarse para lograr los objetivos de terminar con la epidemia de VIH para los jóvenes de la región.

A qualitative inquiry comparing mindfulness-based art therapy, mindfulness and neutral clay tasks as a proactive mental health solution for college students.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine how college students perceive and manage stress and anxiety in the university setting and explain their perceptions of the effects of MBAT, NCT, and MO on stress, anxiety, and general student functioning. Participants: 58 undergraduate college students participated in post-test interviews following their engagement in either mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT), a neutral clay task (NCT) or mindfulness only (MO) interventions using a 5-week online format. Methods: Magnitude coding was used to describe participant's perspectives. Results: Many themes emerged including habitual creative practice, prioritizing time for the self, enjoyable/relaxing activity, learning new techniques, understanding of processing and developing self-insight. Themes in the NCT group were more surface level observations, whereas MBAT, and to a lesser extent, MO groups contained an element of deeper understanding and processing. Conclusions: These findings offer support for implementing online and accessible mental health strategies as a gateway to traditional therapies in college settings.

Mindfulness based art therapy study protocol to determine efficacy in reducing college stress and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: College students in Generation Z are among the most stressed of our time. Previous research suggests that current interventions on university campuses are primarily for students in crises, but supportive services like psychoeducation to introduce coping skills are scant. Interventions that take both financial and time pressures into account are needed to address the mental health challenges faced by students. This study is designed to determine the unique role of the arts as a proactive mental health strategy for college students. METHODS: A sample of college students in Generation Z (n = 120) will be recruited. Participants will be assigned to Arts-only, mindfulness-only, mindfulness-based art interventions or a non-intervention control group. These interventions will be delivered using a minimal contact, web-based approach. Participants will be screened for eligibility requirements prior to the inclusion in the Time 1 assessment though an online survey. Once enrolled, participants will complete the Time 1 assessment, followed by the intervention. Each assessment will consist of psychological and physiological measures. The MBAT, NCT and MO groups will complete a brief self-care task twice a week for 5 weeks. Upon completion of the assigned intervention, participants will complete a Time 2 assessment and participate in the Trier Social Stress Test. Six weeks post-intervention, participants will complete the final assessment to assess the longevity of effects of the intervention. DISCUSSION: This study will clarify the effects of Mindfulness-based Art Therapy on several biometric and physiological markers above and beyond isolated art therapy or mindfulness interventions. Qualitative data in the form of transcribed exit interviews will be analyzed to characterize the unique needs of Generation Z students, along with level of engagement, intervention acceptance and satisfaction. The results will identify the efficacy of a low-cost and easily accessible mental health intervention targeting college students experiencing stress and anxiety. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04834765, 05/17/21. Retrospectively registered.