@article{ref1,
title="The Youth Aware of Mental Health program in Australian Secondary Schools: 3- and 6-month outcomes",
journal="International journal of mental health systems",
year="2021",
author="McGillivray, Lauren and Shand, Fiona and Calear, Alison L. and Batterham, Philip J. and Rheinberger, Demee and Chen, Nicola A. and Burnett, Alexander and Torok, Michelle",
volume="15",
number="1",
pages="e79-e79",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The evidence base for suicide prevention programs in Australian schools is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a universal, mental health promotion and suicide prevention program-Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM)-on suicidal ideation, mental health, and help-seeking in Australian secondary school students from baseline to post-intervention and 6-month follow up. <br><br>METHODS: Using a single-arm design, the YAM program was delivered to Year 9 students (13-16 years) in secondary schools located within four regions across New South Wales, Australia. A structured self-report questionnaire using validated scales was administered at each time point. Linear mixed-effects modelling was used to examine differences in suicidal ideation scores across time, while accounting for random effects of individual schools. <br><br>RESULTS: Suicidal ideation reduced significantly from baseline to post, and from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.001). Depression severity declined (p < 0.001) and help-seeking intentions increased (p < 0.001) at post-intervention and 6- months following the intervention period. No suicide deaths were reported for any study participants. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The current findings provide preliminary evidence that the YAM program is a promising preventive intervention for Australian schools, particularly for reducing suicidal ideation, depression and increasing help-seeking intentions in young people. The implementation of YAM in a large number of schools across New South Wales demonstrates the feasibility, and acceptability by schools, of implementing this program at scale. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR, ACTRN12619000338167. Registered 5 March 2019-Retrospectively registered, http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=376989&isReview=true.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1752-4458",
doi="10.1186/s13033-021-00503-w",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13033-021-00503-w"
}