Mental Disorders, Education Curriculum, Comparative Effectiveness Research, Early Intervention, Adolescents
Conditions
Keywords
Mental Health Knowledge, Stigma, Mental Health Literacy
Brief summary
This study examines the effectiveness of a school based mental health literacy intervention for high school students, on improving mental health knowledge and reducing stigma. Twenty-four high schools in the regional area of Ottawa, Canada were randomly assigned to either the curriculum or control condition at a two to one ratio. The educational curriculum was integrated within grade 11 and 12 Provincial Healthy Living courses, delivered by teachers, and replaced existing educational content on mental health.
Detailed description
There is limited evidence and consensus on the effectiveness of school-based mental health educational programs, and no standardization for mental health education being taught in schools. This study examines the effectiveness of a school-based mental health literacy intervention for adolescents, on knowledge and stigma. A secondary objective was to determine the generalizability and applicability of an educational resource for mental health in high schools.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCurriculum
A mental health educational resource delivered in the classroom by trained educators
BEHAVIORALeLearning Follow-up
An online mental health education module that students access individually
Sponsors
University of Ottawa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 19 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Students enrolled in the Healthy Living course of participating Ottawa area community high schools.
Exclusion criteria
* Students not enrolled in the Healthy Living course of participating Ottawa area community high schools. * Students with an English reading and comprehension level lower than the sixth grade
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Report Knowledge of Mental Illness Scale | Immediately following completed delivery of The Curriculum Guide | 15 multiple choice questions about mental illness computed to provide a total score of mental health knowledge for each participant |
| Self-Report Attitudes Towards Mental Illness Scale | Immediately following completed delivery of The Curriculum Guide | A Likert scale of 8 statements about characteristics of individuals with mental illness computed to provide a total score of positive attitudes towards mental illness for each participant |
Outcome results
None listed