NCT02561780

Impact of a Mental Health Curriculum for High School Students on Knowledge and Stigma

Youth Mental Health Awareness Study and Early Intervention Research Project

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 534 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Ottawa · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 14 Years – 19 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Mental Disorders
• Education Curriculum
• Comparative Effectiveness Research
• Early Intervention
• Adolescents

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Curriculum	A mental health educational resource delivered in the classroom by trained educators
BEHAVIORAL	eLearning Follow-up	An online mental health education module that students access individually

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-10-01
• Primary completion: 2013-09-01
• Completion: 2013-09-01
• First posted: 2015-09-28
• Last updated: 2015-09-28