(PS10-29) Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Culturally Adaptive Mental Health Care Model for Asian Americans (AA)

Asian Americans (“AA”) are significantly less likely to seek and benefit from mental health services compared to other races (Spencer et al., 2010; HHS, 2018; Sahker et al., 2022). The population’s lack of access to affordable and culturally adaptive services tailored to specific AA languages, cultural beliefs, and values is one of the primary contributors to the challenge (Fong & Tsuang, 2007). Few culturally adaptive treatment models have been developed to bridge such gaps for AA treatment seekers. Anise Health, a startup building a new standard of care to drive clinical outcomes for AA, developed a culturally adaptive treatment model (the “Anise Model”) that integrates therapy (led by licensed psychotherapists), behavioral coaching (led by Certified Health and Wellness Coaches), and self-service digital tools and resources. Anise providers receive training on Anise’s culturally adaptive care model and work as a care team to deliver treatment via Anise’s telehealth platform. Clients sign up for one month of service at a time and renew their care plan at the end of each month. The Anise Model offers numerous treatment tracks with various therapy and coaching session combinations, priced on average at $250-350 per month. Clients are triaged to the appropriate track based on their clinical needs. The current study examines the Anise Model's feasibility and initial efficacy. Of 315 community treatment seekers who submitted an online intake form, 105 attended at least one month of treatments at Anise. All treatment receivers identified as AA, of whom 58.1% were between ages 25 and 34, 76.2% were females, and 65.7% were second-generation immigrants. 80% graduated from treatment at the end of the fourth month. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-23), which measured participants’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, was administered at the beginning of each session. Linear regression tested the relationship between time and clinical symptoms, and the reliable change index (RCI) tested clinically significant change on the individual level. In month 1, all participants attended a track comprising three therapy sessions and one behavioral coaching session. 91.9% (n = 79), 87% (n = 67), and 84.6% (n = 55) signed up for tracks that integrate therapy and behavioral coaching in months 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At baseline, on average, participants’ depression, anxiety, and stress levels were mild (M = 11.1, SD = 9.0), normal (M = 6.8, SD = 6.5), and moderate (M = 16.0, SD = 8.8), respectively. Participants reported a significant reduction in depression (F = 22.70, p < .001, R2 = .07), anxiety (F = 12.05, p < .001, R2 = 03), and stress (F = 25.82, p < .001, R2 = .07) levels overtime, respectively. RCI suggests that 50%, 50%, and 73.3% of participants experienced clinically significant reduction in depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms at month 4. The Anise Model is feasible among AA community treatment seekers, with a large proportion of participants experiencing a significant reduction in symptoms while utilizing treatment tracks that integrate therapy and behavioral coaching. Results from the regression and RCI analyses suggest the Anise Model has the potential to meet AA’s mental health needs, and future studies are warranted to examine its efficacy.