First 100 migrants seeking culturally inclusive internet-based treatment for PTSD: a Mind the Gap pilot outreach study

Introduction: Immigrants access mental healthcare at lower rates than native-born individuals, highlighting the need for interventions and systematic assessments of scalability to reach underserved populations. Aim: This study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06193161) evaluates outreach procedures and the characteristics of the first 100 immigrants who sought internet-based treatment in Sweden for post-traumatic stress disorder. It also assesses the feasibility of a battery of outreach assessment variables for systematic use in clinical research. Methods: Recruitment strategies included targeted social media advertisements, a dedicated study webpage and psychoeducational materials. Individuals completed a comprehensive set of outreach assessment variables, including immigrant status, treatment history and mental health indicators. Results: Digital advertisements for 6 days resulted in the enrolment of 100 immigrants including both voluntary and forcibly displaced migrant groups. The enrolled sample represented diverse cultural backgrounds as captured by the screening assessment battery. Conclusion: Additional efforts are needed to engage socioeconomically diverse and non-English-speaking immigrant populations.