Panel Discussion 32 - Stronger Together: Community Insights Shaping Interventions for the Underserved

Clinical interventions are frequently developed to address a particular mental/physical health concern and subsequently tested for efficacy in randomized clinical trials. However, such interventions often prove to be limited in effectiveness when applied to real world populations or particularly vulnerable groups. Populations that are at elevated risk for negative health outcomes may require adaptations to evidence-based practice, as well as novel strategies that take into account their unique needs and experiences. Racially and ethnically diverse youth living in urban environments, sexual and gender minority adults with anxiety and depression, youth receiving intensive mental health services, and sexual minority adults with opioid use disorder experience unique risk factors for behavioral health concerns, warranting more thoughtful approaches to appropriately and ethically integrate patient perspectives into intervention development. Panelists will begin by providing brief overviews of their background and research. Initial discussion will focus on the necessity of adapting evidence-based treatments for vulnerable and underserved populations, with a particular focus on using culturally-responsive research methods to identify contextual factors contributing to intervention effectiveness. Drawing on scientific literature, direct experiences, and previous work from colleagues, this panel will highlight strategies that have been used with specific populations (e.g., formation of/engagement with youth and community advisory boards, co-creation/development of intervention materials and protocols, inclusion of peer support specialists during research development, collaborations with schools and other community partners). Panelists will discuss the advantages of partnering with community members beginning with research conceptualization, moving into intervention development, and continuing through implementation, as well as levels of engagement at different stages in the research cycle. Lastly, the panel will highlight lessons learned as early career researchers engaging with underserved populations and potential future directions of this work before opening the discussion to questions from the audience.