RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

HELP (HEalthy Lifestyles Project) for Youth With Mental Distress

The HELP (Healthy Lifestyles Project) study is for young people aged 12 to 17 who are dealing with mental health challenges. It's investigating an online program designed to support their emotional health and encourage healthier habits. Researchers want to know if this program helps young people feel better emotionally, if it improves things like sleeping patterns, physical activity, and screen time, and if it means they need fewer mental health services in the long run. Participants will engage with the online program for six months, either straight away or after a short waiting period. They'll complete online questionnaires over 12 months to track their progress. This study aims to help healthcare providers understand how best to support young people's mental well-being.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Enrolment target

130

Start

15 Jun 2024

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2028

Mental Health Issue

What is this study about?

The HELP (Healthy Lifestyles Project) study is designed to explore new ways to support young people, aged 12 to 17, who are experiencing mental health difficulties. The main idea behind this study is to see if an online program can help improve their emotional health and encourage healthier habits in daily life. This online tool includes sections on understanding your habits, physical activity, screen time, and sleep.

Researchers want to understand a few key things: Firstly, does taking part in this online program for six months lead to a bigger improvement in emotional well-being compared to not using it straight away? Secondly, does using the program actually help young people improve their lifestyle habits, like getting enough sleep, being more active, or managing their screen time? And finally, do young people who use the HELP program need fewer mental health support services during and after their participation in the study?

To find this out, some participants will start using the HELP program immediately for six months. Others will wait for six months before they get access to the program. Everyone will answer questions online at different times over a year to track how they're feeling and what their daily habits are. The information collected will help doctors and other healthcare professionals understand how to best support young people with their mental health and promote healthy lifestyles.

Key takeaways

It's about an online program (HELP) for young people with mental health issues.
Aimed at 12-17 year olds.
Checks if the program improves emotional health and healthy habits.
Looks at if the program reduces the need for mental health services.
Participants will use an online program for 6 months and answer questionnaires for 12 months.
Your involvement could help improve support for other young people in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young people aged 12 to 17 years old. You might be suitable if you are currently seeking, waiting for, or already receiving help for emotional difficulties.

It's important that you can understand and agree to take part in the study yourself, and that you're comfortable using the online program in English. You also need to be willing to be placed into one of the study groups (either starting the program straight away or waiting for six months).

You wouldn't be able to join the study if you have, or are suspected of having, an eating disorder. Also, if your doctor feels that your current health situation or family circumstances aren't suitable for this study, you wouldn't be able to participate. Your doctor would help determine if this is right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 12 and 17 years old?
Are you seeking, waiting for, or getting help for emotional difficulties?
Can you understand and agree to take part in the study?
Are you comfortable using an online program in English?
Are you willing to be put into a group that either starts the program now or waits?
Do you have permission from your parent or guardian (if under 16)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be involved for a total of 12 months. For the first six months, you will either start the HELP online program straight away, or you will wait for six months before getting access to it. The online program itself lasts for six months. During this time, you'll have support from a fitness expert (called a kinesiologist) to help you with the healthy lifestyle aspects.

Throughout the 12 months, you will be asked to complete a series of online questionnaires at the start, at 3 months, at 6 months, and again at 12 months. These questionnaires will ask about your emotional health and your daily habits like sleep and exercise. Some participants (about one in three) will also be asked to complete extra checks to measure their behaviour more objectively. The study team will also look at your health records to understand your use of mental healthcare services, but only with your permission.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might offer some potential benefits. If you are placed in the group that starts the HELP online program early, you could see improvements in your emotional health and develop healthier habits sooner. Even if you're in the waiting group, you will eventually receive the program. For all participants, your involvement will contribute to research that could help improve support for other young people with mental health challenges in the future. As with any study, there are always potential risks, although they are generally small in this kind of research. You might find completing the questionnaires takes some time, or that discussing your emotional health is challenging. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your care.

Locations (1)

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the HELP e-intervention?

It's an online program with four sections about knowing your habits, physical activity, screen time, and sleep, designed to help young people improve their emotional health and lifestyle.

Will I get help with the program?

Yes, you'll have support from a kinesiologist (a fitness expert) to guide you through the healthy lifestyle parts of the online program.

How long will I be in the study?

You will be involved in the study for a total of 12 months, which includes 6 months of using the online program (either immediately or after a waiting period).

What if I don't want to continue?

You are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, and it won't affect any healthcare you receive.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, the researchers will keep your information confidential and will only use it for this study.

How to find out more

Research Coordinator

cheoactive@cheo.on.ca 6137383908 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.