A Peer-Support Mental Health Response Training for Adolescents
During a health crisis, adolescents are often more likely to turn to their peers for help than they are to an adult. Consequently, training adolescents to respond to mental health crises could be a strategy for supporting this population. In a pilot trial, we tested the short-term efficacy of a peer support training program for UK adolescents. We explored whether adolescent peer supporters who received training reported increased self-confidence, social connectedness and 'agency capabilities to make a difference to their peers. The training content consists of bite-size modules on the four active ingredients of youth mental well-being (Mattering, selfhood, compassion and mindfulness) delivered through workshops and simulation activities. Using a pre-post with control evaluation design, the primary outcome assessed is adolescents' fidelity in responding to real cases of peer disclosure in which they indicate Mattering, selfhood, compassion and mindfulness. The training increase...