What is the ACT Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) study?
Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) is a mental health promotion and suicide prevention program being delivered to Year 9 students in secondary schools across the ACT, as part of the implementation of LifeSpan. LifeSpan is an integrated framework for suicide prevention. It combines nine strategies that have evidence for suicide prevention into one community-led approach incorporating health, education, frontline services, business and the community. The YAM study will evaluate the effectiveness of YAM for reducing suicidal ideation and behaviour and increasing help-seeking in young people undertaking the YAM program.
What does it involve?
- Government and non-government secondary schools that are receiving the YAM program in 2021 can sign up to take part;
- Participating schools will need to invite parents/carers of Year 9 students to consent to their child/ren participating in the study;
- Students who participate in the study will be asked to complete three surveys over the course of the year;
- Each survey session will take 45 minutes in total, including a 25 minute survey.
Who can participate?
- Year 9 students (14-16 years) who are enrolled at an ACT secondary school that is receiving the YAM program in 2021, and has signed on to be involved in the study;
- Students will need parent/carer consent;
This study has approvals from the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee, the ACT Education Directorate, and the Catholic Education Office.
Where can I find more information about the YAM study?
Further information about the ACT YAM Study.
Alternatively, please get in touch via OfficeforMHW@act.gov.au.
