RecruitingInterventional

Adapting and piloting the ‘Belonging’ student and teacher brief intervention to build school belonging, promote mental health and prevent violence in English secondary schools

This study is testing a new program called 'Belonging' for Year 9 students and their teachers in English secondary schools. The goal is to help students feel more connected and comfortable at school, which can improve their mental health and lower the chances of problems like violence or drug use. Many young people struggle with mental health and other issues, and feeling like they belong at school can really help. The program involves short classroom sessions for students to understand that school challenges are normal, and online training for teachers to respond empathetically to student behaviour. The study will compare schools using this program with those continuing as usual to see if it makes a positive difference.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Enrolment target

1,200

Start

01 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2026

Promotion of mental health and prevention of violence and substance use

What is this study about?

This study is looking at a new way to help students in secondary schools feel more settled and happy. Many young people face challenges like poor mental health, bullying, or getting into trouble, and feeling like they belong at school can be a really powerful way to prevent these issues. While schools already try to help, some methods can take up a lot of teachers' time.

Researchers are taking ideas from successful programs in other countries that use simpler, shorter classroom activities. The goal is to see if these adapted ideas can help Year 9 students in English schools feel more connected, improve their mental wellbeing, and reduce problems like violence or substance use.

The study will involve students and teachers from six secondary schools. It will compare schools that use the new 'Belonging' program with similar schools that continue with their usual activities. This way, researchers can understand if the new program really makes a difference to students' lives.

Key takeaways

A new 'Belonging' program for Year 9 students.
Aims to boost mental health and reduce violence.
Involves short classroom sessions and teacher training.
Compares program schools with 'usual care' schools.
Participation includes surveys, some minimal risks.
Study runs from early 2025 to late 2026.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be a Year 9 student (around 13-14 years old) at one of the secondary schools chosen for the study. All teachers at these schools will also be involved.

The researchers want to include as many students as possible. This means that students with special educational needs or those who don't speak much English will get support to complete any questionnaires, so they can still be part of the study. If a teacher believes a student understands enough to take part and the student agrees, they can join.

Students would not be able to participate if a teacher thinks they wouldn't understand the questions well enough to complete them, or if the student themselves (or their parents) decide they don't want 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.

Am I (or is my child) in Year 9 at an English secondary school?
Has my school been chosen to be part of this research study?
Do I (or does my child) understand enough to complete surveys if supported?
Am I (or is my child) willing to take part in two short classroom sessions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your school is chosen for the study, you'll first be asked to fill out a survey in May/June 2025. This survey will ask questions about things like your mental health, if you've experienced bullying, or if you've used substances.

If your school is one of the four chosen for the new program, you (as a Year 9 student) will then have two short classroom sessions, each lasting about 15-20 minutes. These sessions are designed to help you understand that facing difficulties at school is normal and doesn't mean you don't fit in. Your teachers would also get two online training sessions to help them respond with understanding to student behaviour.

Throughout the school year, researchers will be watching how things are going, and might do more surveys or interviews. After about a year, you'll be asked to fill out the same survey again to see if there have been any changes. The study is expected to run from January 2025 until September 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

Students who take part in the 'Belonging' program might find that their mental health improves, and they feel better about school. Teachers involved might also find their job less stressful. The main risk is that some of the questions in the surveys, especially about mental health or bullying, could make some students feel a little upset. However, the researchers will be careful and reassuring. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary, and you (or your parents) can decide to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is the main idea behind this study?

It's about helping Year 9 students feel more connected to school, which can improve their mental health and reduce bigger problems.

Will I have to take any medicine?

No, this study does not involve any medicine. It's about a classroom-based program.

How long will the school sessions be?

There will be two classroom sessions, each lasting only about 15-20 minutes.

What happens if I don't want to answer some survey questions?

You don't have to answer any question you don't feel comfortable with. Your participation is always voluntary.

Who is running this study?

The study is being run by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and funded by a UK research body.

How to find out more

Chris Bonell

chris.bonell@lshtm.ac.uk +44 2076368636 Official trial record

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