Support for adolescent mental health through psychiatric outreach nurses
Supporting Adolescent Mental Health by Psychiatric Outreach Nurses: A Mixed Method Evaluation Study
This study tests if having psychiatric nurses provide mental health support in schools helps teenagers aged 12-16 feel better compared to regular school services.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Eastern Finland Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kuopio, Northern Savonia) |
| Trial ID | NCT06438276 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of psychiatric outreach nurses providing mental health support to adolescents aged 12-16 in a school setting. It compares the outcomes of brief interventions by these nurses with conventional student welfare services over a 6 and 12 month period. The interventions include psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and various therapeutic methods tailored to the adolescents' needs. Data will be collected through questionnaires assessing mental health status and quality of life, alongside service utilization.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12-16 who seek help for mood disorders and have specific mental health needs.
Not a fit: Patients who require light support, have low motivation for school, or are in acute need of specialist care may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the mental health and quality of life for adolescents facing depression and anxiety.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using outreach services for mental health support, indicating potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents (12-16 years old) who seek help from student welfare services due to mood disorders and who have one or more of the following conditions: prolonged and/or complicated anxiety, mood symptoms, obsessive-compulsive and/or eating disorder symptoms, mild to moderate self-harm (e.g. death wishes or cutting). In addition, person's motivation to receive the service provided is an admission criterion. Exclusion Criteria: * Persons with one or more of the following needs or life situations: adolescents who need light support and guidance, young people with a single problem of low motivation for school, young people with a stressful life situation or relationship problems. On the other hand, adolescents who are in acute need of specialist care or for adolescents with multidisciplinary problems for whom support measures have already been put in place, because of their mental health symptoms (e.g. severe depression, psychotic symptoms, severe and acute suicidal tendencies or a clear suicide plan). * Exclusion criteria for the intervention and control groups also include situations where the adolescent has a long-lasting, already established mental health problem and/or a need for further treatment after a period of specialised hospital care. * Exclusion criteria also include behavioural disorders where there is a clear underlying cause other than a mental disorder.
Where this trial is running
Kuopio, Northern Savonia
- Wellbeing Services County of North Savo — Kuopio, Northern Savonia, Finland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Johanna Lammintakanen, PhD, Professor — University of Eastern Finland
- Study coordinator: Anne Surakka, M.Soc.Sc, MHS (Health Econ.)
- Email: anne.surakka@uef.fi
- Phone: +358505292553
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.