Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Designing and Evaluating a Classroom-Based Mental Health Programme for Adolescents.

This study is checking a new classroom programme about mental health for students aged 16-18 in Northern Ireland secondary schools. It's not about treating illness, but helping students understand mental health better, including unusual sensory experiences and how to cope. Researchers want to see if the programme can be easily taught in schools, if students find it helpful and acceptable, and if they can gather information through questionnaires and reflections over time. This first step isn't to see if the programme definitely works, but to make sure it's practical and well-received before a larger, more detailed study is planned.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Queen's University, Belfast

Enrolment target

120

Start

06 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Mental Health Promotion

What is this study about?

This study is checking out a new classroom programme designed to help teenagers understand mental health better. It's for students aged 16-18 in secondary schools across Northern Ireland. The programme covers important topics like what mental health means, understanding unusual experiences some people have, tackling stigma (negative attitudes) towards mental health, and learning useful ways to cope with thoughts and feelings.

It's important to know that this programme isn't meant to diagnose or treat anyone's mental health problems. Instead, it's about giving all students good information and building their confidence in recognising and responding to worries they or their friends might have. Think of it as a mental health education class, equipping young people with knowledge and skills.

The main goal of this particular study is to see if this programme can be delivered successfully in a normal school setting, if students find it helpful and worthwhile, and if researchers can collect useful information from them. This is often called a 'feasibility study' – it's like a practice run to make sure everything works well before they consider doing a much larger study to see how effective the programme truly is in the long term.

Key takeaways

This study is about a new mental health education programme for teenagers.
It teaches about understanding mental health, stigma, and coping skills.
It's a trial run (feasibility study) to see if the programme can work well in schools.
You'll attend four classroom sessions and fill out some questionnaires.
The programme is for learning, not for diagnosing or treating mental health conditions.
You can choose not to take part or leave the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would need to be a student aged between 16 and 18 years old and currently attending one of the secondary schools in Northern Ireland that is taking part in the study.

Before you join, you (and your parent or guardian, if required by your school) would need to agree to take part. This agreement is called 'informed consent', and it means you understand what the study involves and are happy to be a part of it.

You would not be able to join the study if you or your parent/guardian decide not to give consent or prefer for you not to take part.

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 16 and 18 years old?
Are you a student at one of the participating secondary schools in Northern Ireland?
Are you able to agree to take part and understand what is involved?
Are you okay with completing questionnaires and potentially joining an interview?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, your school will be put into one of two groups. One group will take part in the mental health classroom programme, and the other will continue with their regular lessons.

If you are in the group doing the programme, you'll attend four special lessons during your normal school timetable. These lessons will be led by the researcher and will include discussions, activities, and multimedia materials. Before the programme starts, right after it finishes, and again one month later, you'll be asked to fill in some questionnaires. You'll also complete short reflections after each lesson.

A small number of students might also be asked to take part in a short interview to share their thoughts and experiences about the programme. If your school is in the group that continues with regular lessons, you will still be offered the programme once the study has finished.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study could offer you the benefit of learning more about mental health and developing coping strategies. While joining clinical trials generally carries some level of risk, this study is educational and not designed to be invasive or involve medication. The main potential inconvenience would be the time spent completing questionnaires and attending the sessions. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your schoolwork or relationship with your teachers.

Locations (2)

Post Primary Schools x2
Verified postcode
Antrim, United Kingdom
Post Primary Schools x 2
Verified postcode
Newtownabbey, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'feasibility study'?

It's a small-scale trial to check if a new programme or idea can be successfully delivered and if people find it acceptable, before doing a much larger study.

Will this programme cure mental health problems?

No, this programme is educational. It aims to build understanding and coping skills, not to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.

What happens if I don't want to answer a question?

You don't have to answer any question you're uncomfortable with, and you can withdraw from the study at any time.

Will my teachers know my answers?

The information you provide is confidential and will be used for the study. Your individual answers won't be shared with your teachers.

How long will the programme sessions last?

Each of the four sessions will fit into your usual timetabled enrichment lessons.