Training Community Opinion Leaders to Raise Awareness and Promote Early Intervention for Depressed Latino Adolescents

Background: Although evidence-based depression prevention programs are available, Latino adolescents continue to underutilize and delay mental health intervention, resulting in increased rates of depression and suicide.

Objectives: To describe a community–academic collaboration, program development and training of opinion leaders, preliminary findings, and lessons learned in conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR).

Methods: A pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability and perceived impact on community opinion leaders (n = 5) of a depression literacy and outreach training tailored to a low-income, urban, Latino population.

Results: Results demonstrate feasibility, acceptability, and desirable changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among trained opinion leaders. Challenges related to research agenda, terminology, competency evaluation of participants, and referrals to treatment are presented, along with attempted solutions.

Conclusions: Depression literacy and outreach training of key members of social networks for Latino adolescents shows promise as a culturally relevant and effective approach to depression/suicide prevention for Latino adolescents.