Impact of a Classroom-based Sensitization Intervention on Demand for Mental Health Care Among Adolescents in India

"A one-off classroom information and engagement session will be delivered in addition to school-level sensitization activities. Individual classroom sessions will be conducted by a 'lay' counsellor with support from a researcher.~The classroom session will start with a short animated video which provides age-appropriate information about types, causes, impacts and ways of coping with common mental health problems. The video will be followed by a guided group discussion, structured around a standardized script that builds on the topics covered in the video. In case of technical difficulties that may prevent the video from being shown, a flipchart based on still illustrations from the video will be used.~At the end of the session, students will be handed a self-referral form which includes normalizing information and question-based prompts to assist with self-identification of mental health problems."

"The control condition intervention will comprise sensitization activities conducted at the whole school level. These activities will include:~1. Posters containing information about the school counselling program and referral pathways will be displayed in prominent locations at each school.~2. A drop-box for student self-referral slips will be set up in a prominent location at each school.~3. Information meetings with teachers and the principal will be conducted at each school from the beginning of the trial."