RecruitingInterventional

AI-based mobile apps for supporting adolescents’ mental health in schools

This study explores if a new smartphone app, MindCraft, can improve mental health in teenagers aged 14-19 in UK schools. Many young people struggle with their mental health, and schools often lack the right tools to help. MindCraft uses artificial intelligence (AI) to track feelings and behaviour, offering personalised tips through phone notifications. The study will compare three groups: one getting personalised AI tips, another getting general advice, and a third just tracking their mood. Researchers want to know if personalised AI advice is more effective than the other approaches in helping young people with their mental well-being.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

842

Start

15 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

29 Sep 2027

Primary and secondary prevention of mental disorders in children and young people.

What is this study about?

Many young people in the UK face challenges with their mental health, and this often happens because their minds are still growing and changing. It's really important to offer support early on to stop these problems from getting bigger later in life. Schools are a great place to help, but they don't always have the best tools to do it.

Since most teenagers use smartphones every day, a group of doctors and engineers at Imperial College London, working with young people, have created a special app called MindCraft. This app is designed to help teenagers understand and manage their feelings and behaviours. It uses something called "artificial intelligence," or AI, which is like a computer learning to think and make decisions. MindCraft uses information you put into the app, plus data from your phone, to learn how your feelings change over time. It can then offer you personal tips and reminders through your phone to help you when you need it most.

This study aims to find out if these personal, AI-powered tips from the MindCraft app can really make a difference to the mental health of teenagers in schools. The main question is: do these personalised AI tips help more than general advice or simply keeping track of your feelings on your own?

Key takeaways

A new study is testing a smartphone app called MindCraft to help teenagers' mental health.
The app uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to give personalised mental health tips.
Participants will be young people aged 14-19 in UK schools.
It involves using the app daily and answering questionnaires for one month.
The study hopes to find a good way to support young people's mental well-being.
You might get a voucher or your school will get funds for taking part.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young people who are in school years 10 to 13 (which generally means ages 14 to 19) and attend a school in the United Kingdom that has agreed to take part.

You'll need to be able to understand English well enough to complete questionnaires and use the app. You also need to have your own smartphone (either an iPhone or Android phone) that can track your activity. If you're 16 or older, you must be able to agree to take part yourself. If you're under 16, you'll need to be able to understand the study and your parents or guardians will need to give their permission.

Some young people might not be able to join. This includes anyone with severe learning difficulties, certain brain conditions, or significant physical problems that would stop them from using a smartphone app by themselves.

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 in school year 10, 11, 12, or 13?
Do you attend a UK school taking part in the study?
Do you have your own iPhone or Android smartphone?
Can you understand and use an app in English?
If you're under 16, can your parents/guardians give permission?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, it will involve using the MindCraft app every day for one month. During this month, you will record your mood and behaviour using the app. You will also fill out a mental health questionnaire at the very beginning of the study and then again at the end of the one-month period. That's the main part of what you'd need to do.

Potential risks and benefits

We hope that using the MindCraft app will be helpful for you and teach you valuable skills to support your mental well-being. Your participation will also help us understand how to improve the app to support many other young people in the future. As a thank you for your time, you will either receive a voucher at the end, or your school will get funds to support student well-being activities. It's possible that answering questions about your mental health might feel a bit difficult or upsetting for some people. If this happens, the research team will point you towards different support services, including those listed within the MindCraft app itself. Remember, you can choose to leave the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Imperial College London
Approximate
London, England

Common questions

What is AI and how does the app use it?

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. In this app, it's like a smart computer program that learns from your feelings and actions to give you personalised tips and advice, just for you.

Do I need my own smartphone?

Yes, you'll need an iPhone or Android smartphone that can track your activity so you can use the MindCraft app daily.

How long will I be in the study?

You will take part in the study for one month, using the app daily during that time.

What if I feel upset answering questions?

If you find any questions upsetting, the study team will provide you with information about places where you can get support, both within the app and from other organisations.

What is the study trying to find out?

The study wants to see if personalised tips from an AI-powered app can help teenagers improve their mental health more effectively than general advice or just tracking their own feelings.

How to find out more

Aglaia Freccero

aglaia.freccero21@imperial.ac.uk +44 7551893250 Official trial record

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