Child Mind Institute is a nonprofit children's mental health organization. Its MATTER Lab is pilot testing a system in which an automated interviewer conducts a standardized questionnaire by text message. The purpose of the pilot is to confirm that the messaging system works reliably. It is preparation for a research study that has not yet begun, and for which Child Mind Institute will apply for review by an Institutional Review Board.
No health information is collected in this pilot. Participants answer in character from a fictional persona, as described below.
+1 (507) 431-7807
This number is published here for anyone to see, without agreeing to anything first.
The study is offered two ways, and they are the same interview: by text message, or in a web browser. To take part by text message, opt in on our opt-in page: you enter your mobile number and tick a box agreeing to receive text messages from the Child Mind Institute MATTER Lab. The box is not ticked for you. We then send one confirmation message, and the conversation begins when you text the number above. We never message a number that has not opted in, and we do not buy, rent, or import phone number lists.
Text messages are optional. The same interview is also offered in a web browser. If you would rather not receive text messages, you can take part that way instead, complete the study, and receive the same compensation.
Message frequency varies by session: a session runs 30 to 60 minutes and typically involves 100 to 200 messages. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP at any time to opt out. Reply HELP for help. Your number will never be used for marketing and will not be sold or shared. Consenting to receive text messages is not a condition of any purchase, of taking part in this study, of completing it, or of being paid for it.
Each participant is given a short written persona describing a fictional parent and child, and answers a standardized mental health screening questionnaire in character. No participant is asked about their own child or their own mental health.
A participant taking part by text message opts in on the opt-in page, receives a confirmation message, and then texts +1 (507) 431-7807 from their own phone to begin. The number is public on this page either way. A participant taking part in the browser does none of this: no phone number is entered and no text message is sent.
Questions: olivia.fitzpatrick [at] childmind.org · Opt in to text messages · SMS privacy notice · SMS terms and conditions · Organization privacy policy · Organization terms of use