โก Quick Summary
This pilot study explores the feasibility of ShockTalk, a tele-mental health app designed for urban Indigenous populations in the United States, aiming to improve access to culturally relevant mental health care. The study will assess client attitudes and the app’s effectiveness in linking clients with culturally aligned therapists.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ Participants: 10 clients (5 at baseline, 5 after 3 months)
- โ๏ธ Technology: ShockTalk app utilizing artificial intelligence
- ๐ Timeline: Data collection from May 2022 to October 2024
- ๐ฐ Economic evaluation: Tracking direct costs associated with therapy
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ Urban Indigenous populations face significant mental health challenges with limited access to care.
- ๐ก ShockTalk is a culturally tailored tele-mental health linkage app.
- ๐ค The study aims to assess the feasibility and client attitudes towards tele-mental health treatment.
- ๐ Data collection includes presurveys and postsurveys on client attitudes and trust in the technology.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Qualitative interviews will provide deeper insights into user experiences.
- ๐ต A preliminary economic evaluation will compare costs across treatment doses.
- ๐ Results are expected to be published in February 2026.
- ๐ The study is funded and aims to inform future full-scale trials.
๐ Background
Urban Indigenous populations in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of mental health issues, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorders. Unfortunately, access to culturally relevant mental health services is severely limited, particularly due to underfunding of the Indian Health Service. With over 70% of Indigenous individuals residing in urban areas, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge this gap in care.
๐๏ธ Study
The study focuses on the development and pilot testing of ShockTalk, a tele-mental health app designed to connect clients with Indigenous or culturally aligned therapists. The app leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate access to care through platforms like Facebook Messenger. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on user experiences and attitudes.
๐ Results
As of now, data collection is ongoing, with a total of 4 client participants and 2 therapist participants enrolled. The analysis of the collected data is expected to yield valuable insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of the ShockTalk app, with results anticipated for publication in February 2026.
๐ Impact and Implications
This pilot study has the potential to significantly enhance mental health care for urban Indigenous populations by providing insights into the optimization of technology-based, culturally relevant interventions. By identifying effective and cost-efficient strategies, the research could inform future policies and practices, ultimately improving mental health outcomes in these communities.
๐ฎ Conclusion
The ongoing research into ShockTalk represents a promising step towards addressing the mental health needs of urban Indigenous populations. By focusing on culturally tailored telehealth solutions, this study aims to pave the way for sustainable and accessible mental health care interventions. The future of Indigenous mental health care looks hopeful, and we eagerly await the findings that will emerge from this important work.
๐ฌ Your comments
What are your thoughts on the integration of technology in mental health care for Indigenous populations? We would love to hear your insights! ๐ฌ Leave your comments below or connect with us on social media:
Culturally Tailored Tele-Mental Health Care Linkage for Indigenous Populations: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Urban Indigenous populations face disproportionate mental health challenges, including high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorders, yet they have limited access to health services, especially culturally relevant care. The mechanism for providing care to Indigenous people in the United States, the Indian Health Service, is significantly underfunded and only accessible to certain Indigenous people. With more than 70% of Indigenous individuals in the United States living in urban settings, there is a growing need for innovative health care solutions. A community-based, Indigenous-led health and mental health-focused nonprofit in the northeast United States developed ShockTalk, a tele-mental health linkage-to-care app tailored specifically for Indigenous communities, to fill this gap.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess (1) the feasibility, including accessibility, experience, and value, of ShockTalk for practitioners and clients interested in providing or receiving culturally responsive mental health treatment, and (2) changes in client attitudes related to tele-mental health treatment value and trust in ShockTalk technology.
METHODS: This study outlines the development and pilot study of ShockTalk. The conceptual framework is based on the behavioral model of health care use. ShockTalk uses artificial intelligence to connect clients with Indigenous or culturally aligned therapists and facilitates access to care via Facebook Messenger. Using a prewaitlist or postwaitlist design, 5 client participants will be admitted to the study at first, and 5 additional participants at 3 months. Data collection includes presurveys and postsurveys on client attitudes toward mental health treatment and trust in the ShockTalk platform at baseline and a 3-month follow-up, followed by in-depth qualitative interviews at 3 months. A preliminary economic evaluation will track direct costs (ie, therapist time, platform fees, and administrative expenses) and compare relative costs across treatment doses. Analyses will assess the feasibility of data collection and inform a future full-scale trial.
RESULTS: This study was funded in April 2022. Data collection occurred between May 2022 and October 2024. In total, 4 client participants and 2 therapist participants were enrolled. Data analysis is complete and results are expected to be published in February 2026.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study will offer insights into optimizing technology-based, culturally relevant mental health care. By examining varying levels of engagement and associated costs, this research seeks to identify the most effective and cost-efficient strategies for improving mental health outcomes in urban Indigenous populations in the United States. ShockTalk has the potential to shape future health care innovations in this field. Findings are expected to contribute significantly to Indigenous mental health care by offering insights into sustainable, accessible, and culturally appropriate telehealth interventions, guiding future policy and practice.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/67757.
Author: [‘Richer AMS’, ‘Roddy AL’, ‘King S’, ‘Serio A’]
Journal: JMIR Res Protoc
Citation: Richer AMS, et al. Culturally Tailored Tele-Mental Health Care Linkage for Indigenous Populations: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study. Culturally Tailored Tele-Mental Health Care Linkage for Indigenous Populations: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Pilot Study. 2025; 14:e67757. doi: 10.2196/67757