Supporting secondary school staff in mental health: the WISE (Wellbeing in Secondary Education) study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN13255300 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13255300 |
| Protocol serial number | version 5 |
| Sponsor | University of Bristol |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 19/09/2016
- Registration date
- 28/09/2016
- Last edited
- 10/10/2016
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
School staff, in particular teachers, are consistently shown to have are higher risk of developing problems with stress levels, depression and anxiety compared to the general working population. If these problems are not treated, then this could lead to poor performance at work (presenteeism), sickness absence, and even poor health after retirement. In addition, school staff often report that they feel ill-equipped to support vulnerable students, due to the lack of support for their own mental wellbeing and training in mental health issues. This study is going to look at a secondary school program which involves training staff with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) so they can provide confidential peer support service for colleagues to use at when stressed or distressed, and youth MHFA training, so that they are able to recognise signs of distress in students and provide initial support. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of implementing this program to see whether a future larger study looking at its effectiveness would be possible.
Who can participate?
All staff working at participating schools and attending students who are in year 8 and 9 at the start of the study.
What does the study involve?
Participating schools are randomly allocated to one of two groups. In the first group, all staff are invited to nominate colleagues that they feel would be good peer supporters. Eight-ten staff are then attend a two day standard MHFA training course and become a staff peer supporter. In addition, up to 20 staff who did not take part in the other training also receive MHFA training to support students. In the first group, schools continue with their usual practice in terms of staff support and training. At the start of the study and then one year later, students and staff at schools in both groups complete a range of questionnaires to measure their mental wellbeing. In addition, the acceptability of the training programs are assessed by interviewing the staff that take part.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participating schools benefit from receiving information about the wellbeing and mental health of their students and staff (data is anonymous). Schools who receive the MHFA training may also benefit as the training could lead to improved mental wellbeing among teachers and students. There are no notable risks involved with participating.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run from University of Bristol and takes place in six mainstream secondary schools in England (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2012 to May 2015
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Judi Kidger
judi.kidger@bristol.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
School of Social and Community Medicine
Canynge Hall
39, Whatley Road
Bristol
BS8 2PS
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-1054-6758 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)117 331 3910 |
| judi.kidger@bristol.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre pilot cluster randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Cluster randomised trial |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN13255300_PIS_26Sep2016_Schools.docx |
| Scientific title | Development of an intervention to improve mental health support and training for secondary school staff – a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | WISE |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention that provides mental health support and training for secondary school staff. |
| Ethics approval(s) | University of Bristol's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Ethics Committee, 24/10/2012, ref: 111280 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Mental health and wellbeing |
| Intervention | Participating schools are paired according to free school meal eligibility (FSM) as a proxy for socioeconomic catchment area – a school was coded as high FSM if the percentage of students eligible was above the national average, and low if the percentage eligible was below this national average. The schools within each pair were randomly allocated to one of two groups, using a computerised programme, by a statistician blinded to the actual school identities or any information about them. Group 1 (intervention schools) received: 1. Staff peer support service: All staff in the intervention schools are invited to nominate colleagues whom they consider would make good peer supporters, via a confidential, anonymous written questionnaire. A list of the 8-10 staff with the most nominations is compiled, ensuring a mixture of gender, years of experience and teaching/non-teaching role. Those on the list are invited to attend the two day standard MHFA training and become a staff peer supporter. Standard MHFA training equips participants to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in others, and to provide advice and support in accessing help where appropriate. The program is delivered in training facilities away from the school premises, and cover was provided for teaching staff. Following the training, participants set up a confidential staff peer support service for all colleagues to access as and when required, with the aim of providing a listening ear and signposting to other services as appropriate. Peer support teams are provided with guidelines regarding confidentiality, advertising the service, support for the peer supporters, communication with the research team, and practical considerations such as where support would be provided. 2. Training in youth MHFA: In each school, up to 20 of all staff who have not received the peer supporter training (due to overlap of content of the two courses) receive this two day training. Trained staff will continue with their usual roles within school, but will apply the MHFA learning in their day to day interactions with students; responding to signs and symptoms of distress and providing initial help and support to individuals at risk of mental health difficulties as required. Both the standard and youth MHFA courses were delivered by local, independent trainers certified by MHFA. Group 2 (control schools): Schools continue with usual practice in terms of staff support and training. Usual practice generally includes some degree of support for students with the greatest need in the form of learning mentors and counsellors. However, most students would initially approach pastoral members of the teaching staff such as tutors for support. Process data are collected from group 1 regarding use of the peer support service (every term) and perceptions and application of the training (1-2 months after delivery). Interviews are conducted with senior leaders in both groups regarding the importance of staff wellbeing and mental health training. Follow up questionnaires are completed by both groups six months after the training had been delivered and the peer support service set up. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Acceptability of the intervention to school staff was measured through qualitative focus groups and semi-structured interviews with recipients of the intervention |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Staff outcomes: |
| Completion date | 01/05/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Other |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 500 |
| Key inclusion criteria | School inclusion criteria: 1. Mainstream schools 2. Non fee paying secondary schools 3. Not already receiving the intervention or something similar Staff inclusion criteria: All staff working in participating schools for the duration of the study Student inclusion criteria: 1. All those in years 8 and 9 at the start of the study 2. Those whose parents have not withdrawn them from the study 3. Those who are not educated elsewhere |
| Key exclusion criteria | Schools exclusion criteria: 1. Special schools 2. Pupil referral units 3. Fee paying 4. Do not have students in years 8 and 9 5. Already have a peer support service or MHFA training Staff exclusion criteria: Absence for the duration of the study Student exclusion criteria: 1. Those not in years 8 or 9 at baseline 2. Long term absence 3. Educated elsewhere 4. Considered to have a mental capacity significantly below 12 years old 5. Have parents who have withdrawn consent |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/2013 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/05/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Tyndall Ave
Bristol
BS8 1TH
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Judi Kidger (judi.kidger@bristol.ac.uk) |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 06/10/2016 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | 26/09/2016 | 28/09/2016 | No | Yes | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN13255300_PIS_26Sep2016_Schools.docx
- Uploaded 28/09/2016
Editorial Notes
10/10/2016: Publication reference added.
