Researchers at the University of Bath are inviting young people, parents and secondary school staff to help shape a new package of digital tools designed to support the wellbeing of 14–18-year-olds.
Psychology researchers Mia Morgan and Dr Melissa Atkinson are developing a series of quick, student-led tools that aim to give teenagers practical skills for navigating everyday wellbeing challenges before they develop into more significant concerns, such as anxiety, depression or disordered eating.
Funded by the Medical Research Foundation, the project is exploring how schools might offer accessible wellbeing support without placing additional demands on teachers or taking up valuable lesson time. The eventual tools will be delivered digitally, for example through a website or smartphone app, and are intended to be flexible enough for young people to use either in school or at home.
Importantly, the researchers want the tools to be shaped by the people who may ultimately use or support them.
Can your school help?
The team is currently carrying out the first phase of the project and is looking for teenagers, parents and secondary school staff to take part in an online survey study.
Participants will complete two or three online surveys, approximately 2–3 weeks apart, with each taking around 30 minutes. Their views will help the researchers answer two important questions: which wellbeing challenges matter most to young people aged 14–18, and what would make young people more or less likely to engage with digital wellbeing support?
The researchers are particularly keen to hear from:
- Young people aged 14–18 who currently attend a UK school. Teenagers do not need to have experienced mental health difficulties to take part.
- Parents of young people aged 14–20 who attend, or have previously attended, a UK school.
- Secondary school staff with at least one year's experience in a UK secondary school who have responsibility for delivering or supporting health and wellbeing education. This could include teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, senior leaders, support staff, governors and school-based mental health practitioners.
Interested in taking part?
To find out more, ask a question or express an interest in participating, contact Mia Morgan and Dr Melissa Atkinson at BOOST@bath.ac.uk and let them know that you heard about the project through Tooled Up.
There will also be opportunities to contribute to later stages of the research, including joining an expert advisory group and participating in co-design workshops. Schools and individuals interested in hearing about these opportunities can contact the research team to be kept informed.
We think this is a valuable opportunity for members of the Tooled Up community to contribute to the development of wellbeing support that is designed with the realities of school life and the perspectives of young people themselves firmly in mind.
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