Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jun 5, 2023
Date Accepted: Jun 26, 2023
Strengthening Mental Health and Resilience through Schools (SMARTS): Protocol for a Participatory Design Project
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mental health problems form one of the main contributors to the global burden of disease in children and young people (CYP) within urban environments. In response, the potential of both school- and sport-based mental health promotion interventions have been advocated. However, there exists limited insights into how sport-based interventions can be integrated within school environment. Moreover, there is a need to consider CYP’s specific needs, challenges, and motivations when designing novel mental health promotion interventions.
Objective:
The current Strengthening Mental Health and Resilience through Schools (SMARTS) project aims to co-design a novel evidence-informed school-sport-based mental health promotion program. Specific objectives of the project include: (a) To co-design a multi-component program, integrating sport sessions with class-based sessions, and complemented with educational modules for teachers and parents; (b) To explore how the mental health program can be implemented most effectively within the Brussels school system; and (c) To conduct preliminary process and outcome testing of the mental health program.
Methods:
A participatory design framework will be adopted to co-design the mental health program. This framework identifies six research stages which provide a structured approach to involve end-users throughout the entire study process, from problem identification to intervention delivery and evaluation, whilst at the same time ensuring program development remains directly informed by the available scientific evidence.
Results:
Participant recruitment for the first research phase will commence in September 2023. The full project will be completed by March 2027.
Conclusions:
With this intervention we aim to provide a direct contribution to the promotion of CYP’s mental health within the Brussels school context. At a broader level, we hope conducting and documenting large participatory design projects like SMARTS can inspire and guide other researchers to tailor mental health interventions to specific populations. Clinical Trial: None
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