Adaptation of an evidence-based, preventive intervention to promote mental health in Hispanic adolescents: eHealth Familias Unidas Mental Health

Mental health symptoms and suicide ideation and attempts have been increasing for several years. Disparities in quality and access to mental healthcare indicate that Hispanic and socioeconomically disadvantaged youth need accessible and targeted interventions, ideally preventive and early interventions. Our team adapted an existing, evidence-based prevention program for Hispanic families to specifically and directly address youth mental health to be delivered in primary healthcare settings. This paper describes the adaptation framework and steps taken to adapt the original program that was developed and tested for drug use and sexual risk behaviors, with the purpose of additionally addressing depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation and attempts. We subsequently describe the adapted program- eHealth Familias Unidas Mental Health- and discuss how it is currently being implemented and evaluated in primary healthcare settings. The paper provides information and an example of how other research teams can systematically adapt an intervention using insights from the peer-reviewed literature, participants, primary care clinic staff, and experts in youth mental health.