1
|
Bisal N, Gibson Miller J, Cox C, Carey S, Levita L. Feasibility of a secondary school-based mental health intervention: Reprezents' On The Level. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2022; 16:98. [PMID: 36494738 PMCID: PMC9735021 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00534-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS There is a need for innovative school-based mental health interventions to promote good mental health, healthy coping strategies, and engagement with support services. Consequently, Reprezent, a youth development organization, with mental health professionals and young people co-developed an online mental health intervention show, On The Level (OTL). This study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of delivering OTL to young people (aged 11-18 years) in 36 secondary schools across London and Essex, UK. METHODS OTL was delivered online as part of the school curriculum, in classrooms at timepoint 1 (T1, 50 min). Follow-up data was collected at timepoint 2 (T2) 4-6 weeks later, during a 20-min OTL review show. For interactive OTL elements and data collection participants logged into an online survey. Measures of acceptability and engagement, mental health and well-being outcomes and intervention evaluation were taken at T1 and T2. We also assessed the feasibility of implementing the OTL intervention in secondary schools. RESULTS 10,315 participants received the intervention (T1) and 3369 attended the follow-up session (T2), this high attrition, and potential selection bias, was due to only 30% of schools being able to take part in T2. Rates of acceptability were high among young people and school staff. At T1, 88% found OTL engaging, and 84% felt more confident they had the tools to help them better manage stress and anxiety. At T2, 66% viewed mental health in a more positive way, and 71% had better understanding of how to maintain good mental health. Rates of engagement with mental health tools and services were good, and significant reduction in levels of stress were found 4-6 weeks after the OTL show (T2). The low mental health and well-being indices reported by the school children at baseline strongly support the need and use for a mental health intervention such as OTL in secondary schools. CONCLUSION These findings indicated good feasibility and acceptability of OTL intervention and support the delivery of the OTL mental health intervention at UK-based secondary schools to educate young people about mental health and well-being and give them the necessary tools to support their mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Bisal
- grid.11835.3e0000 0004 1936 9262University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Christine Cox
- Reprezent Youth Development Organization, London, UK
| | - Shane Carey
- Reprezent Youth Development Organization, London, UK
| | - Liat Levita
- University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. .,University of Sussex, Sussex, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Goodcase ET, Brewe AM, White SW, Jones S. Providers as Stakeholders in Addressing Implementation Barriers to Youth Mental Healthcare. Community Ment Health J 2022; 58:967-981. [PMID: 34669091 PMCID: PMC8527810 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-021-00905-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Research has shown that youth with mental health disorders often do not receive adequate care. School- and community-based mental health organizations are integral to implementing evidence-based mental healthcare to the vast majority of youth. It is therefore important to understand the perspectives of this stakeholder group, to determine how to improve access to high-quality care. A series of three focus groups with community mental health providers and three school counselors and social workers focus groups were conducted to get their perspective on existing barriers that prevent youth who need mental health services from being treated. A grounded theory inductive qualitative analysis revealed six major themes (Lack of Services, Lack of Knowledge, Stigma, Logistics, Poor Past Experiences with Mental Health, and Poor Coordination of Services). Each of these themes are discussed and implications are framed within the context of implementation science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric T Goodcase
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Alabama, 214 Child Development Research Center, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA.
| | - Alexis M Brewe
- Center of Youth Development and Intervention, University of Alabama, 200 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Susan W White
- Center of Youth Development and Intervention, University of Alabama, 200 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Shane Jones
- Center of Youth Development and Intervention, University of Alabama, 200 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li S, Sheng Y, Jing Y. How Social Support Impact Teachers' Mental Health Literacy: A Chain Mediation Model. Front Psychol 2022; 13:851332. [PMID: 35369149 PMCID: PMC8968130 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.851332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Teachers have an important social role, and their mental health literacy is very important to their own abilities as educators and to the growth and development of those they educate. This study explored the mechanism underlying the influence of social support on teachers' mental health literacy by conducting a questionnaire survey of 573 teachers. The results showed that social support can influence teachers' mental health literacy not only through the separate effects of life satisfaction and coping tendency but also through the chain mediation effect of life satisfaction and coping tendency; however, the direct effect of social support on the teachers' mental health literacy is not significant. This study is conducive to understanding the internal mechanism underlying the relationship between social support and mental health literacy. It reminded us that when formulating mental health literacy promotion programs for teachers, we should not only provide adequate social support to improve but also should pay attention to improvements in their coping tendencies and life satisfaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sihui Li
- College of Education Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, China
| | - Youyu Sheng
- College of Education Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, China
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yumei Jing
- Mental Health Education and Counselling Centre, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Parker BL, Anderson M, Batterham PJ, Gayed A, Subotic-Kerry M, Achilles MR, Chakouch C, Werner-Seidler A, Whitton AE, O'Dea B. Examining the Preliminary Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Web-Based Training Program for Australian Secondary School Teachers: Pilot Study of the BEAM (Building Educators' Skills in Adolescent Mental Health) Program. JMIR Ment Health 2021; 8:e29989. [PMID: 34677134 PMCID: PMC8571691 DOI: 10.2196/29989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secondary schools are increasingly supporting adolescents' mental health and well-being, yet many teachers report that they lack the skills and confidence to do so. Building Educators' skills in Adolescent Mental Health (BEAM) is a web-based training program developed to improve secondary school teachers' knowledge and confidence in caring for students' mental health. OBJECTIVE This pilot study examined the preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of the BEAM program for improving mental health knowledge, attitudes, confidence, helping behaviors, and psychological distress among secondary school teachers. METHODS A single-arm pilot trial was conducted from July to December 2019 among secondary school teachers located in New South Wales, Australia, who were employed in leadership positions responsible for managing student well-being (ie, Year Advisors). Participants had access to the BEAM program for 6 weeks. Self-report surveys, delivered at baseline, postintervention (6-weeks post baseline) and 3-month follow-up (19 weeks post baseline) were used to measure changes in training outcomes. Acceptability was assessed by program use, barriers, satisfaction, and participants' perceptions of program effectiveness. RESULTS A total of 70 secondary school teachers took part (mean age 36.5 years, SD 9.41 years, range 24-60 years). Significant improvements in confidence were reported at postintervention and 3-month follow-up. Significant improvements in helping behaviors were reported at 3-month follow-up only. There was also a significant reduction in psychological distress at postintervention. Participants agreed that the program content was easy to understand and relevant, but program completion was challenged by lack of time, competing priorities, and forgetfulness. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicated that a web-based training program may be beneficial for improving secondary school teachers' abilities to care for students' mental health; however, program modifications are required to increase training completions. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12619000821190, Universal Trial Number U1111-1232-7680; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377529.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda L Parker
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Philip J Batterham
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Aimee Gayed
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Mirjana Subotic-Kerry
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Aliza Werner-Seidler
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexis E Whitton
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Bridianne O'Dea
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Parker BL, Chakouch C, Subotic-Kerry M, Batterham PJ, Mackinnon A, Newby JM, Whitton AE, McGoldrick J, Cockayne N, O'Dea B. The Building Educators' Skills in Adolescent Mental Health Training Program for Secondary School Educators: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e25870. [PMID: 33625374 PMCID: PMC7946581 DOI: 10.2196/25870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Australia, secondary school educators are well positioned to recognize mental illness among students and provide support. However, many report that they lack the knowledge and confidence to do so, and few mental health training programs available for educators are evidence based. To address this gap, the Black Dog Institute (BDI) developed a web-based training program (Building Educators’ Skills in Adolescent Mental Health [BEAM]) that aims to improve mental health knowledge, confidence, and helping behaviors among secondary school educators in leadership positions. A pilot study of the training program found it to be positively associated with increased confidence and helping behaviors among educators and reduced personal psychological distress. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) is needed. Objective The primary objective of this cluster RCT is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BEAM program for improving educators’ confidence in managing student mental health. The trial will also evaluate the effect of the BEAM program in increasing educators’ frequency of providing help to students and improving their mental health knowledge and reducing educators’ psychological distress and stigma toward students with mental health issues. Methods The target sample size is 234 educators from 47 secondary schools across New South Wales, Australia. Four waves of recruitment and enrollment into the trial are planned. Schools will participate in one wave only and will be randomized to the intervention or waitlist control conditions. Participants from the same school will be assigned to the same condition. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, posttest (10 weeks after baseline), and follow-up (22 weeks after baseline) using the BDI eHealth research platform. Intervention participants will receive access to the BEAM program for 10 weeks upon completion of baseline, and the control condition will receive access for 10 weeks upon completion of the follow-up assessment. Results Recruitment for this trial began on July 21, 2020, with the first baseline assessments occurring on August 17, 2020. To date, 295 participants from 71 schools have completed baseline. Due to the unexpected success of recruitment in the first 3 waves, the final fourth wave has been abandoned. Intervention participants are currently receiving the program, with follow-up due for completion in March 2021. Conclusions This is one of the first RCTs to examine the effectiveness of a web-based adolescent mental health training program for Australian secondary school educators in leadership positions. If found to be effective, this training program will offer a sustainable and scalable delivery method for upskilling educators in caring for students’ mental health. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000876998; https://covid-19.cochrane.org/studies/crs-14669208 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/25870
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda L Parker
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | | | - Mirjana Subotic-Kerry
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Philip J Batterham
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Jill M Newby
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Alexis E Whitton
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | | | - Nicole Cockayne
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Bridianne O'Dea
- Black Dog Institute, Randwick, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vaillancourt T, Szatmari P, Georgiades K, Krygsman A. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Canadian children and youth. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2021-0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Children and youth flourish in environments that are predictable, safe, and structured. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted these protective factors making it difficult for children and youth to adapt and thrive. Pandemic-related school closures, family stress, and trauma have led to increases in mental health problems in some children and youth, an area of health that was already in crisis well before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Because mental health problems early in life are associated with significant impairment across family, social, and academic domains, immediate measures are needed to mitigate the potential for long-term sequalae. Now more than ever, Canada needs a national mental health strategy that is delivered in the context in which children and youth are most easily accessible—schools. This strategy should provide coordinated care across sectors in a stepped care framework and across a full continuum of mental health supports spanning promotion, prevention, early intervention, and treatment. In parallel, we must invest in a comprehensive population-based follow-up of Statistics Canada’s Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth so that accurate information about how the pandemic is affecting all Canadian children and youth can be obtained. It is time the Canadian government prioritizes the mental health of children and youth in its management of the pandemic and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Vaillancourt
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Royal Society of Canada, Working Group on Children and Schools
| | - Peter Szatmari
- Royal Society of Canada, Working Group on Children and Schools
- Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Luthar SS, Kumar NL, Zillmer N. Teachers’ responsibilities for students’ mental health:Challenges in high achieving schools. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21683603.2019.1694112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suniya S. Luthar
- Authentic Connections, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Emerita - Teachers college, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Nina L. Kumar
- Authentic Connections, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicole Zillmer
- Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Resilience in Children Exposed to Violence: A Meta-analysis of Protective Factors Across Ecological Contexts. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2019; 22:406-431. [DOI: 10.1007/s10567-019-00293-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|