Implementation Science to Improve School Ethos for Mental Health

The objective of the study is to identify the challenges and opportunities existing within the school ethos in implementing evidence-based interventions to improve youth mental health and to identify the most appropriate implementation strategies for improving mental health among young people in schools at Chennai, a city in Southern part of India, a low- and middle- income country setting.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Mental Health Issue Behavior Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being

Age range

12 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF India)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600101., India

About this study

The study team will approach the schools where the proposed study will take place and will obtain the needed permission to conduct the study in the school premises. Information about the study to all the potential participants will be disseminated through the school management. All the potential participants can approach the study team to learn more about the study and participate in the study. Potential participants approaching the study team will be explained in detail about the project and informed consent and /or assent will be obtained. The participants will be selected based on the proposed inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study.

After the recruitment of the participants, iIn-depth, semi-structured, individual interviews lasting approximately an hour will be conducted in either English or Tamil. This will be conducted by trained qualitative researchers. Interviews will be audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. A qualitative descriptive approach will guide all aspects of the qualitative methods we employ to derive a comprehensive description of participants' experiences that is both deep and meaningful. The IDI guide will be developed following an extensive literature search and discussions with experts in the field, for understanding the participants. The interviews will be conducted by two members of the research team. Face-to-face interviews or online interviews will be conducted after ensuring that the participant is comfortable, and all external disturbances will be taken care or minimized

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Students between 12-18 years of age
Teachers 25-60 years of age
Parents 25-60 years of age
Management 25-60 years of age
Mental health professionals 25-60 years of age
School counsellors 25-60 years of age
Education department - Government of Tamil Nadu 25-60 years of age
Health department - Government of Tamil Nadu 25-60 years of age

Exclusion criteria

Not willing to provide informed consent
Can not speak either English or Tamil (native language)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

School ethos

Time frame: for six months

Understanding the school ethos towards mental health prevailing in the schools from urban settings using in-depth interviews
Challenges and bariers

Time frame: For six months

Making a list of the challenges and opportunities in establishing and implementing a positive school ethos towards mental health in the schools using in-depth interviews

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pittsburgh

Other

Collaborators

Fogarty International Center of the National Institute of Health
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF India), Chennai, India

Registry information

Official study title

Improving School Ethos Towards Mental Health Through Whole School Mental Health Interventions: Implementation Science Approach

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Jul 5, 2024
Registry last updated: Jul 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Active, Not Recruiting