Table 1 On the Level Intervention Techniques and Content
From: Feasibility of a secondary school-based mental health intervention: Reprezents’ On The Level
Technique | Example |
|---|---|
Psychoeducation | ● Understanding one’s emotions, and recognizing when these are normative responses to stress/challenge, and when they are not ● Normative information about mental health in young people ● Cognitive behavioural symptoms of stress and anxiety (thoughts, emotions, feelings and behaviours) ● Critical voices and negative automatic thoughts ● Understanding one’s own development/body (Psychobiology, brain development being an on-going process throughout the adolescent years) and role of amygdala in producing and regulating levels of anxiety (e.g., fight or flight response) |
Role Modelling | ● Intervention presented and co-written by young people (members of Reprezent) ● Presenters (e.g., Stormzy, a celebrity presenter) and other young peers regularly offer their own stories and strategies for dealing with their anxiety and stress and give advice to audience (also Covid-19 related content of different experiences both good and bad of the pandemic and lockdowns) ● Demonstration of practical strategies by presenters |
Monitoring stress/anxiety | ● Identifying personal level of stress on the ‘Stress dial’ (red, orange, yellow, green) ● Recognising one’s personal responses to stress and anxiety (implode/explode) |
Offering practical support/ Safeguarding | ● Demonstration of age-appropriate online support resources (Woebot, Kooth) ● Action to take in emergency |
Practical Cognitive behavioural strategies | ● ‘Mental health 5-a-day’ (Awareness, breathing, relaxation, affirmation, movement) ● Compassion/kindness to others |
Written information | ● Custom made resource pack for schools |