Project HASHTAG: testing a school-based intervention to improve adolescent mental health in Nepal and South Africa

Feasibility trial of a school-based intervention to promote positive mental health, prevent mental health disorders, and reduce risk behaviours in young adolescents in Nepal and South Africa

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN80690743

Enrollment

480

Registered

2021-08-16

Start date

2021-03-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2024-01-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Positive mental health, depression, anxiety in adolescents in Nepal and South Africa Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Interventions

Current interventions as of 11/02/2022: In each country (South Africa and Nepal), a random-number generator will be used to randomize two schools to intervention condition, and two to control condit

in Nepal, trained staff nurses will fulfill this role. TES will include 1) School Action Groups, 2) teacher-focused workshops, and 3) mental health awareness raising activities. School Action Groups

they will meet regularly and act as a steering committee at the school level to facilitate implementation of HASHTAG, as well as overseeing the implementation of the mental health awareness activities

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: School going adolescents in South Africa (Grade 8) and Nepal (Grade 7-9)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Unable to assent and/or participate

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Measured at baseline and immediately post-intervention (~5 months): 1. Positive mental health, measured using the Stirling Children’s Wellbeing Scale (15 items); a culturally-suitable adaptation of Resilience Scale (8 items); and the Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale (family subscale, 7 items, South Africa only). 2. Depression will be assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire – Adolescent version (PHQ-A). Incidence of depression will be measured at or above a threshold of 10. In addition, we will measure change in depressive symptomatology. 3. Anxiety symptomatology will be assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7; 7 items). Incidence of anxiety will be measured at or above a threshold of 10. In addition, we will measure change in anxiety symptomatology.	—

Measure

Time frame

Measured at baseline and immediately post-intervention (~5 months): 1. Positive mental health, measured using the Stirling Children’s Wellbeing Scale (15 items); a culturally-suitable adaptation of Resilience Scale (8 items); and the Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale (family subscale, 7 items, South Africa only). 2. Depression will be assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire – Adolescent version (PHQ-A). Incidence of depression will be measured at or above a threshold of 10. In addition, we will measure change in depressive symptomatology. 3. Anxiety symptomatology will be assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7; 7 items). Incidence of anxiety will be measured at or above a threshold of 10. In addition, we will measure change in anxiety symptomatology.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Measured at baseline and immediately post-intervention (~5 months): 1. Psychosocial functioning is measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Prosocial Scale (5 items), and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment 2. Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 (life activities items, 9 items). 3. Substance use will be measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (10 items) and one self-report question on tobacco and illicit drug use. 4. Aggression will be measured using the Aggression Scale (11 items). 5. Self-harm and suicidality will be measured using 9 self-report questions on self-harm intentions and behaviours. 6. Social support will be measured by the Social Connectedness Scale (8 items) and the Oslo Social Support Scale (3 items). 7. School environment will be measured using the Beyond Blue School Climate Questionnaire (28 items). 8. Bullying experiences will be measured using the Gatehouse Bullying Scale (4 items with 2 follow-ups each; potential total of 12 items).	—

Measure

Time frame

Measured at baseline and immediately post-intervention (~5 months): 1. Psychosocial functioning is measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Prosocial Scale (5 items), and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment 2. Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 (life activities items, 9 items). 3. Substance use will be measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (10 items) and one self-report question on tobacco and illicit drug use. 4. Aggression will be measured using the Aggression Scale (11 items). 5. Self-harm and suicidality will be measured using 9 self-report questions on self-harm intentions and behaviours. 6. Social support will be measured by the Social Connectedness Scale (8 items) and the Oslo Social Support Scale (3 items). 7. School environment will be measured using the Beyond Blue School Climate Questionnaire (28 items). 8. Bullying experiences will be measured using the Gatehouse Bullying Scale (4 items with 2 follow-ups each; potential total of 12 items).

—

Countries

Nepal, South Africa

Contacts

Public ContactChristina Laurenzi

christinalaurenzi@sun.ac.za+27 (0)21 938 9043

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026