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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Comparative Effectiveness Research; Education Curriculum; Early Intervention; Mental Disorders; Adolescents
• Interventions: Behavioral: Curriculum; Behavioral: eLearning Follow-up

• Registration Number: NCT02561780
• Lead Sponsor: University of Ottawa

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-10
• Primary Completion: 2013-09
• Study Completion: 2013-09
• Status Verified: 2015-09
• Study First Submitted: 2015-09-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-09-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-09-24
• Study First Posted: 2015-09-28
• Last Update Posted: 2015-09-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 534

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Curriculum	Curriculum	The curriculum is a mental health literacy resource designed to inform high school curricula and contains six distinct modules: 1) stigma of mental illness; 2) understanding mental health and mental illness; 3) information on specific mental illnesses; 4) experiences of mental illness; 5) seeking help and finding support; and 6) the importance of positive mental health. A research assistant trained teachers on The Curriculum Guide content in a half-day session. Teachers implemented The Curriculum Guide, which requires approximately 6 hours of classroom time, during regular instruction of the Healthy Living course.
Curriculum +eLearning Follow-up	eLearning Follow-up	The curriculum is a mental health literacy resource designed to inform high school curricula and contains six distinct modules: 1) stigma of mental illness; 2) understanding mental health and mental illness; 3) information on specific mental illnesses; 4) experiences of mental illness; 5) seeking help and finding support; and 6) the importance of positive mental health. A research assistant trained teachers on The Curriculum Guide content in a half-day session. Teachers implemented The Curriculum Guide, which requires approximately 6 hours of classroom time, during regular instruction of the Healthy Living course. Students are asked to complete follow-up modules online. These modules are only accessible after completion of the Healthy Living course.
Curriculum +eLearning Follow-up	Curriculum	The curriculum is a mental health literacy resource designed to inform high school curricula and contains six distinct modules: 1) stigma of mental illness; 2) understanding mental health and mental illness; 3) information on specific mental illnesses; 4) experiences of mental illness; 5) seeking help and finding support; and 6) the importance of positive mental health. A research assistant trained teachers on The Curriculum Guide content in a half-day session. Teachers implemented The Curriculum Guide, which requires approximately 6 hours of classroom time, during regular instruction of the Healthy Living course. Students are asked to complete follow-up modules online. These modules are only accessible after completion of the Healthy Living course.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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