Co-Producing a School-Based Intervention: Development of the R.E.A.C.T Programme

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Centering Youth Within School, University, and Community Partnerships

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of adolescent mental health issues has highlighted the importance of early intervention and support. To address this the school has been considered as a suitable setting for mental health interventions. However, a number of these interventions are developed without input from the key figures in education, i.e. teachers and students. The current study explores the development of a co-produced multi-component intervention in the UK post-primary (high school) setting. Observations, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with teachers and students from three schools. The data indicated that school examinations were detrimental to young people's mental health leading to increased anxiety and stress. Finally, the findings demonstrate that co-production can be beneficial in intervention development.

Author

• Ruth Danielle Neill, Queen's University - Belfast