Reducing stigma around mental illness in schools to encourage adolescents to seek help
Official title: Implementation of mental illness anti-stigma research evidence in the school system to promote help-seeking using a pilot hybrid type III trial with adaptive randomization and digital dissemination
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10949898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping teenagers feel more comfortable talking about their mental health in schools by using fun digital tools to teach principals and teachers how to support them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $179,680 |
| NIH project number | 1K01MH137374-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents, particularly those from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds or lower socioeconomic statuses, who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not face stigma-related barriers to seeking mental health care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the significant issue of mental health stigma among adolescents, particularly in school settings. By implementing evidence-based anti-stigma interventions, the project seeks to educate school principals and health educators on how to effectively promote help-seeking behaviors among students. The approach includes the use of digital technology to enhance the delivery of mental health education, making it more accessible and engaging for youth. The goal is to create a supportive environment that encourages adolescents to seek the mental health care they need.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased help-seeking behaviors among adolescents, ultimately improving their mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that education-based anti-stigma interventions can effectively reduce stigma and promote help-seeking among youth, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dupont, Melissa Juliana — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Dupont, Melissa Juliana
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.