SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

Mallika Punukollu; Emma Leighton; Anna Brooks; Saoirse Heron; Fiona Mitchell; Paula Regener; Olga Karagiorgou; Caitlin Bell; Mhairi Gilmour; Nasreen Moya; Helen Sharpe; Helen Minnis

doi:10.1111/camh.12375

SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

Mallika Punukollu, Emma Leighton, Anna Brooks, Saoirse Heron, Fiona Mitchell, Paula Regener, Olga Karagiorgou, Caitlin Bell, Mhairi Gilmour, Nasreen Moya, Helen Sharpe, Helen Minnis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

AIMS
The aim of the study was to investigate teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions about the effect of the SafeSpot mental health curriculum on the wellbeing of young people and on their knowledge of mental health conditions. This trial intends to determine the acceptability and benefits of web and mobile technology in delivering emotional wellbeing in schools, through use of the SafeSpot programme.

BACKGROUND
With 10% of young people aged 5 to 16 diagnosed with a mental disorder; there is pressure for schools to address their pupils’ emotional wellbeing. However, many educators report that their schools have insufficient provisions and feel inadequately equipped to support pupils’ mental health.

METHODS
This qualitative analysis was embedded within a randomly allocated stepped-wedge design, conducted in six West of Scotland secondary schools. 2320 pupils (aged 11 to 14 years) and 90 teachers were included. Young people’s understanding of health-seeking, and teacher’s confidence in delivering and accessing wellbeing information was assessed qualitatively.

RESULTS
Qualitative analysis revealed themes highlighting the beneficial nature of SafeSpot, including pupil engagement, content of tutorials, perceived impact of SafeSpot and level of training provided for teachers.

CONCLUSIONS
Web technology could potentially offer a more structured way for staff to support their pupils’ mental health, whilst reducing stigma. SafeSpot was perceived, by pupils and teachers, to be engaging.

Original language	English
Journal	Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Volume	25
Issue number	2
Early online date	8 Mar 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12375
Publication status	Published - 19 Apr 2020

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

school
mental health
adolescence
e-health
qualitative methods

Access to Document

10.1111/camh.12375

PunukolluEtAl2020CAMHSafespotAnInnovativeApp
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Punukollu, M., Leighton, E.L., Brooks, A.F., Heron, S., Mitchell, F., Regener, P., Karagiorgou, O., Bell, C., Gilmour, M., Moya, N., Sharpe, H. and Minnis, H. (2020), SafeSpot: an innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools – a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study. Child Adolesc Ment Health, 25: 110-116. doi:10.1111/camh.12375, which has been published in final form at: https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12375. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Accepted author manuscript, 113 KB

Cite this

Punukollu, M., Leighton, E., Brooks, A., Heron, S., Mitchell, F., Regener, P., Karagiorgou, O., Bell, C., Gilmour, M., Moya, N., Sharpe, H., & Minnis, H. (2020). SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12375

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title = "SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study",

abstract = "AIMSThe aim of the study was to investigate teachers{\textquoteright} and pupils{\textquoteright} perceptions about the effect of the SafeSpot mental health curriculum on the wellbeing of young people and on their knowledge of mental health conditions. This trial intends to determine the acceptability and benefits of web and mobile technology in delivering emotional wellbeing in schools, through use of the SafeSpot programme. BACKGROUNDWith 10% of young people aged 5 to 16 diagnosed with a mental disorder; there is pressure for schools to address their pupils{\textquoteright} emotional wellbeing. However, many educators report that their schools have insufficient provisions and feel inadequately equipped to support pupils{\textquoteright} mental health.METHODSThis qualitative analysis was embedded within a randomly allocated stepped-wedge design, conducted in six West of Scotland secondary schools. 2320 pupils (aged 11 to 14 years) and 90 teachers were included. Young people{\textquoteright}s understanding of health-seeking, and teacher{\textquoteright}s confidence in delivering and accessing wellbeing information was assessed qualitatively.RESULTSQualitative analysis revealed themes highlighting the beneficial nature of SafeSpot, including pupil engagement, content of tutorials, perceived impact of SafeSpot and level of training provided for teachers.CONCLUSIONSWeb technology could potentially offer a more structured way for staff to support their pupils{\textquoteright} mental health, whilst reducing stigma. SafeSpot was perceived, by pupils and teachers, to be engaging.",

keywords = "school, mental health, adolescence, e-health, qualitative methods",

author = "Mallika Punukollu and Emma Leighton and Anna Brooks and Saoirse Heron and Fiona Mitchell and Paula Regener and Olga Karagiorgou and Caitlin Bell and Mhairi Gilmour and Nasreen Moya and Helen Sharpe and Helen Minnis",

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Punukollu, M, Leighton, E, Brooks, A, Heron, S, Mitchell, F, Regener, P, Karagiorgou, O, Bell, C, Gilmour, M, Moya, N, Sharpe, H & Minnis, H 2020, 'SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study', Child and Adolescent Mental Health, vol. 25, no. 2. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12375

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T2 - An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

AU - Punukollu, Mallika

AU - Leighton, Emma

AU - Brooks, Anna

AU - Heron, Saoirse

AU - Mitchell, Fiona

AU - Regener, Paula

AU - Karagiorgou, Olga

AU - Bell, Caitlin

AU - Gilmour, Mhairi

AU - Moya, Nasreen

AU - Sharpe, Helen

AU - Minnis, Helen

PY - 2020/4/19

Y1 - 2020/4/19

N2 - AIMSThe aim of the study was to investigate teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions about the effect of the SafeSpot mental health curriculum on the wellbeing of young people and on their knowledge of mental health conditions. This trial intends to determine the acceptability and benefits of web and mobile technology in delivering emotional wellbeing in schools, through use of the SafeSpot programme. BACKGROUNDWith 10% of young people aged 5 to 16 diagnosed with a mental disorder; there is pressure for schools to address their pupils’ emotional wellbeing. However, many educators report that their schools have insufficient provisions and feel inadequately equipped to support pupils’ mental health.METHODSThis qualitative analysis was embedded within a randomly allocated stepped-wedge design, conducted in six West of Scotland secondary schools. 2320 pupils (aged 11 to 14 years) and 90 teachers were included. Young people’s understanding of health-seeking, and teacher’s confidence in delivering and accessing wellbeing information was assessed qualitatively.RESULTSQualitative analysis revealed themes highlighting the beneficial nature of SafeSpot, including pupil engagement, content of tutorials, perceived impact of SafeSpot and level of training provided for teachers.CONCLUSIONSWeb technology could potentially offer a more structured way for staff to support their pupils’ mental health, whilst reducing stigma. SafeSpot was perceived, by pupils and teachers, to be engaging.

AB - AIMSThe aim of the study was to investigate teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions about the effect of the SafeSpot mental health curriculum on the wellbeing of young people and on their knowledge of mental health conditions. This trial intends to determine the acceptability and benefits of web and mobile technology in delivering emotional wellbeing in schools, through use of the SafeSpot programme. BACKGROUNDWith 10% of young people aged 5 to 16 diagnosed with a mental disorder; there is pressure for schools to address their pupils’ emotional wellbeing. However, many educators report that their schools have insufficient provisions and feel inadequately equipped to support pupils’ mental health.METHODSThis qualitative analysis was embedded within a randomly allocated stepped-wedge design, conducted in six West of Scotland secondary schools. 2320 pupils (aged 11 to 14 years) and 90 teachers were included. Young people’s understanding of health-seeking, and teacher’s confidence in delivering and accessing wellbeing information was assessed qualitatively.RESULTSQualitative analysis revealed themes highlighting the beneficial nature of SafeSpot, including pupil engagement, content of tutorials, perceived impact of SafeSpot and level of training provided for teachers.CONCLUSIONSWeb technology could potentially offer a more structured way for staff to support their pupils’ mental health, whilst reducing stigma. SafeSpot was perceived, by pupils and teachers, to be engaging.

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KW - adolescence

KW - e-health

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SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

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SafeSpot: A stepped wedge study of an innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools

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SafeSpot: An innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools - a qualitative analysis as part of a mixed methods study

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SafeSpot: A stepped wedge study of an innovative app and mental health support package for Scottish schools

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