Mental Health Literacy and Peer Support Among Caregivers

This study aims to assess the efficacy of an electronic painting and peer support platform on help seeking behaviour and emotion (depression, anxiety and stress) among caregivers. This is a 2-arm randomized controlled trial with 700 caregivers being randomized to intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). Participants of the IG will use the EPPS system for 8 weeks, making electronic paintings, sharing the paintings with peers, self-assessing emotion and use the provided list to seek for help if necessary. At the same time, they will continue to receive the usual supportive service to caregivers in the NGOs, while the caregivers in the CG will receive e-chat and usual care (the usual supportive service to caregivers in the NGOs). After 8 weeks, the caregivers in the CG will be given opportunities to draw paintings in the EPPS system. All caregivers are invited to complete an online survey at Week 0 (before they use the system), Week 8 (immediately after the system use) and Week 12 (4 weeks after the system use). 30 to 40 caregivers will be invited to attend focus group interviews to indicate their comments and views on the use of the EPPS system after Week 8. Such qualitative data collection will be ceased when no new comments is received. The findings of the study will provide evidence of technology use in supporting caregivers for help seeking and reducing depression, anxiety and stress.

NCT Number	NCT07337148
Lead Sponsor	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Conditions	Mental Health
Enrollment	727 participants
Start Date	2023-05-01
Primary Completion	2025-10-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-10-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-28