Improving Mental Health in Youth: A Technology-Enhanced, School-Based Program

This innovation helps to improve mental health literacy, functioning and increase the accessibility of mental health treatment by establishing schools as hubs of mental health knowledge and support for youth. Teachers from participating schools are trained to deliver a mental health literacy curriculum (MHLC) that addresses topics including mental disorders and addictions, stigma, stress, coping, problem-solving, help-seeking and mental wellness. The intervention teachers are also trained to teach other teachers the same skillset. During curriculum implementation, teachers and students have access to specially designed web content that supplements the curriculum with additional readings, videos about youth mental health issues, as well as online forums for open discussions about learned material and collaboration on homework and projects.