Counseling program aims to boost mental health and HIV prevention in young women

NCT ID NCT05664490

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested a counseling program called Youth Friendship Bench SA for young women aged 18-25 in South Africa who had symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. The program included individual and group counseling sessions, plus optional text reminders. The goal was to see if it could improve mental health and help women stick with their HIV prevention pills (PrEP). 116 women took part, and the study measured changes in mental health scores and PrEP use after 4 and 12 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Youth Friendship Bench SA (counseling sessions and support messages)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a practical way to improve mental health and HIV prevention in young women.

What could go wrong

This was a small, completed optimization study, not a large trial. Results may not apply to all settings or populations.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder mental disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Wits Reproductive Health Institute

    Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa