Firearm injury is the leading cause of death among youth in the US direct and indirect exposure is associated with increased mental health needs, particularly depression, yet few community-based interventions led by credible messengers exist to address co-occurring violence and depression among youth. This paper describes a pilot study to adapt a digital intervention for youth exposed to firearm violence. iDOVE3.0 was adapted from an evidence-based emergency department intervention for youth (ages 13–17) into a community setting (defined as a community-based organization outside an institutional setting) in Indianapolis, Indiana. This single-arm pilot study aimed to recruit 20 youth between September 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Participant recruitment is ongoing, and to-date we have screened 16 youth for mild to moderate depression and violence exposure and enrolled five youth. Violence patterns and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and follow-up at 2, 4 and 8 months. This descriptive study offers insights into the adaptation of a clinical intervention and implementation process into a community setting. Understanding how digital-based interventions can expand community violence interventions and how credible messengers can improve the acceptability of digital interventions are promising approaches to address co-occurring depression and violence among youth in need. Future studies will examine feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy among the pilot study cohort.
Magee et al. (Fri,) studied this question.