Teacher-led mental health care for adolescents

Teachers Delivering Task-Shifted Mental Health Care to Adolescents in India

NA · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT06248203

This study is testing a new way for trained teachers to provide mental health support to teenagers in rural schools to see if it helps them with emotional and behavioral challenges.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment216 (estimated)
Ages13 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (other)
Locations1 site (Darjeeling, West Bengal)
Trial IDNCT06248203 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to pilot a novel system of teacher-delivered mental health care for adolescents in rural, low-cost private secondary schools in the Darjeeling Himalayas. The study will involve training teachers to provide 'education as mental health therapy' (Ed-MH) to students aged 13-17 who exhibit emotional and behavioral issues. Using a mixed methods approach guided by the RE-AIM framework, the study will evaluate the implementation and preliminary effectiveness of this task-shifted care model. The goal is to increase access to sustainable mental health support for youth in this underserved region.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 13-17 attending low-cost private secondary schools in the Darjeeling region who exhibit emotional or behavioral problems.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the inclusion criteria, such as those outside the specified age range or attending non-participating schools, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve access to mental health care for adolescents in rural areas.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific adaptation of teacher-led mental health care for adolescents is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Schools:

* LCP (Low-Cost Private) Secondary Schools
* Enrolled families earning \<$10 daily
* Located in greater Darjeeling
* Principal must also be eligible to participate

Principals:

* \>18 years old
* Employed at enrolled school
* Not suspected or convicted of child maltreatment

Teachers:

* \>18 years old
* Employed at enrolled school
* Not suspected or convicted of child maltreatment

Students:

* Age 13 - 17 years
* Student of enrolled teacher
* Borderline or clinical Total Problem or subscale score of YSR (Youth Self-Report) and TRF (Teacher's Report Form)
* Each student has a lead teacher (2/teacher), with their other teachers also involved

Guardians

* \>18 years old
* Guardian of enrolled student
* Not suspected or convicted of child maltreatment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Exclusion criteria will be set as each participant not meeting inclusion criteria as set for their group.

Where this trial is running

Darjeeling, West Bengal

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Adolescent Behavior, Adolescent - Emotional Problem, Mental Health Issue, Psychosocial Functioning, Depression, Anxiety

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.