scholarly journals Developing a whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: a case-study of innovative local practice within The School Health Research network

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Gobat ◽  
Hannah Littlecott ◽  
Andy Williams ◽  
Kirsten McEwan ◽  
Helen Stanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Whole School

Abstract Background The evidence-base for whole school approaches aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing remains limited. This may be due to a focus on developing and evaluating de-novo, research-led interventions, while neglecting the potential of local, contextually-relevant innovation that has demonstrated acceptability and feasibility. This study reports a novel approach to modelling and refining the programme theory of a whole-school restorative approach, alongside plans to scale up through a national educational infrastructure in order to support robust scientific evaluation. Methods A pragmatic formative process evaluation was conducted of a routinized whole-school restorative approach aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing in Wales. Results The study reports the six phases of the pragmatic formative process evaluation. These are: 1) identification of innovative local practice; 2) scoping review of evidence-base to identify potential programme theory; outcomes; and contextual characteristics that influence implementation; 3) establishment of a Transdisciplinary Action Research (TDAR) group; 4) co-production and confirmation of an initial programme theory with stakeholders; 5) planning to optimise intervention delivery in local contexts; and 6) planning for feasibility and outcome evaluation. The phases of this model may be iterative and not necessarily sequential. Conclusions Formative, pragmatic process evaluations can support researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in developing robust scientific evidence-bases for acceptable and feasible local innovations that do not already have a clear evidence base. The case of a whole-school restorative approach provides a case example of how such an evaluation may be undertaken.

scholarly journals Developing whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: A case-study of innovative local practice within the School Health Research Network

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina H Gobat ◽  
Hannah Littlecott ◽  
Andy Williams ◽  
Kirsten McEwan ◽  
Helen Stanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Whole School

Abstract Background: The evidence-base for whole school approaches aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing remains limited. This may be due to a focus on developing and evaluating de-novo, research-led interventions, while neglecting the potential of local, contextually-relevant innovation that has demonstrated acceptability and feasibility. This study reports a novel approach to modelling and refining the programme theory of a whole-school restorative approach, alongside plans to scale up through a national educational infrastructure in order to support robust scientific evaluation.Methods: A pragmatic formative process evaluation was conducted of a routinized whole-school restorative approach aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing in Wales.Results: The study reports the six phases of the pragmatic formative process evaluation. These are: 1) identification of innovative local practice; 2) scoping review of evidence-base to identify potential programme theory; outcomes; and contextual characteristics that influence implementation; 3) establishment of a Transdisciplinary Action Research (TDAR) group; 4) co-production and confirmation of an initial programme theory with stakeholders; 5) planning to optimise intervention delivery in local contexts; and 6) planning for feasibility and outcome evaluation. The phases of this model may be iterative and not necessarily sequential.Conclusions: Formative, pragmatic process evaluations can support researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in developing robust scientific evidence-bases for acceptable and feasible local innovations that do not already have a clear evidence base. The case of a whole-school restorative approach provides a case example of how such an evaluation may be undertaken.

scholarly journals Developing whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: A case-study of innovative local practice within the School Health Research Network

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina H Gobat ◽  
Hannah Littlecott ◽  
Andy Williams ◽  
Kirsten McEwan ◽  
Helen Stanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Whole School

Abstract Background: The evidence-base for whole school approaches aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing remains limited. This may be due to a focus on developing and evaluating de-novo, research-led interventions, while neglecting the potential of local, contextually-relevant innovation that has demonstrated acceptability and feasibility. This study reports a novel approach to modelling and refining the programme theory of a whole-school restorative approach, alongside plans to scale up through a national educational infrastructure in order to support robust scientific evaluation. Methods: A pragmatic formative process evaluation was conducted of a routinized whole-school restorative approach aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing in Wales. Results: The study reports the six phases of the pragmatic formative process evaluation. These are: 1) identification of innovative local practice; 2) scoping review of evidence-base to identify potential programme theory; outcomes; and contextual characteristics that influence implementation; 3) establishment of a Transdisciplinary Action Research (TDAR) group; 4) co-production and confirmation of an initial programme theory with stakeholders; 5) planning to optimise intervention delivery in local contexts; and 6) planning for feasibility and outcome evaluation. The phases of this model may be iterative and not necessarily sequential. Conclusions: Formative, pragmatic process evaluations can support researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in developing robust scientific evidence-bases for acceptable and feasible local innovations that do not already have a clear evidence base. The case of a whole-school restorative approach provides a case example of how such an evaluation may be undertaken.

scholarly journals Developing whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: A case-study of innovative local practice within the School Health Research Network

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina H Gobat ◽  
Hannah Littlecott ◽  
Andy Williams ◽  
Kirsten McEwan ◽  
Helen Stanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Whole School

Abstract Background: The evidence-base for whole school approaches aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing remains limited. This may be due to a focus on developing and evaluating de-novo, research led interventions, while neglecting the potential of local, contextually-relevant innovation that has demonstrated acceptability and feasibility. This study reports a novel approach to modelling and refining the theory of a whole-school restorative approach, alongside plans to scale up through a national educational infrastructure in order to support robust scientific evaluation. Methods: A pragmatic formative process evaluation was conducted of a routinized whole-school restorative approach aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing in Wales. Results: The study reports seven phases of the pragmatic formative process evaluation that may be undertaken in the development and evaluation of interventions already in routine practice: 1) identification of innovative local practice; 2) scoping review of evidence-base to identify existing intervention programme theory; outcomes; and contextual characteristics that influence programme theory and implementation; 3) establishment of a Transdisciplinary Action Research (TDAR) group; 4) co-production of an initial intervention logic model with stakeholders; 5) confirmation of logic model with stakeholders; 6) planning for intervention refinement; and 7) planning for feasibility and outcome evaluation. The phases of this model may be iterative and not necessarily sequential. Conclusions: Formative, pragmatic process evaluations support researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in developing a robust scientific evidence-base for acceptable and feasible local innovation that does not have a clear evidence base. The case of a whole-school restorative approach provides a case example of how such an evaluation may be undertaken.

scholarly journals Developing whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: A case-study of innovative local practice within the School Health Research Network

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina H Gobat ◽  
Hannah Littlecott ◽  
Andy Williams ◽  
Kirsten McEwan ◽  
Helen Stanton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Whole School

Abstract Background: The evidence-base for whole school approaches aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing remains limited. This may be due to a focus on developing and evaluating de-novo, research led interventions, while neglecting the potential of local, contextually-relevant innovation that has demonstrated acceptability and feasibility. This study reports a novel approach to modelling and refining the theory of a whole-school restorative approach, alongside plans to scale up through a national educational infrastructure in order to support robust scientific evaluation.Methods: We conducted a pragmatic formative process evaluation of a routinized whole-school restorative approach aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing in Wales.Results: The study reports seven phases of the pragmatic formative process evaluation that researchers, policy-makers and practitioners may undertake in the development and evaluation of interventions already in routine practice: 1) identification of innovative local practice; 2) scoping review to identify intervention theory of change; antecedent and emergent contextual characteristics; implementation and outcomes; 3) establishment of a Transdisciplinary Action Research (TDAR) group; 4) co-production of intervention logic model with stakeholders; 5) confirmation of logic model with stakeholders; 6) planning for intervention refinement; and 7) planning for feasibility and outcome evaluation. The phases of this model are seen as being iterative.Conclusions: Formative, pragmatic process evaluations support researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in developing a robust scientific evidence-base for acceptable and feasible local innovation that does not have a clear evidence base. The case of a whole-school restorative approach provides an exemplar of how such an evaluation may be undertaken.

scholarly journals The role of accommodation environments in student mental health and wellbeing

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne D. Worsley ◽  
Paula Harrison ◽  
Rhiannon Corcoran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
First Year ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
North West ◽  
Human Element ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Physical Attributes ◽  
Attachment To Place ◽  
Pastoral Staff

Abstract Background Due to the increasing concern over student mental health and wellbeing, attention has turned to the matter of creating environments, communities, and institutions which enable students to flourish. Methods To explore the role of accommodation environments in first year student mental health and wellbeing, eight focus groups were conducted in two universities in North West England and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three overarching themes were identified: ‘The betwixt space’; ‘Accommodations as vessels to cultivate friendships and communities’; and ‘The importance of accommodation-based pastoral staff’. As attachment to place and relationships with significant others are disrupted by the transition, this leaves young people vulnerable whilst they go through a process to re-attach to new people and a new environment, and loneliness and social isolation were keenly felt during this period. Physical attributes of place that prevent social cohesion further exacerbated feelings of loneliness. Conclusions As it is common for students to withdraw physically and psychologically when they do not form friendships within their flat, accommodation-based pastoral staff have an important role to fulfil. Although these findings demonstrate the importance of the human element within accommodation, designing places that facilitate community, a sense of we-ness, and belonging is crucial.

scholarly journals What do we know about promoting mental health through schools?

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 118-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Weare ◽  
Wolfgang Markham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Developmental Approach ◽  
Whole School ◽  
Whole School Approach ◽  
Promote Mental Health

There is a growing evidence base on what schools need to do to promote mental health effectively. There is strong evidence that they need first and foremost to use a whole school approach. This shapes the social contexts which promote mental health and which provide a backdrop of measures to prevent mental health disorders. In this context the targeting of those with particular needs and the work of the specialist services can be much more effective. Schools need to use positive models of mental health, which emphasise well being and competence not just illness- this will help overcome problems of stigma and denial and promote the idea of mental health as 'everyone's business'. The most effective programmes in schools which address mental health have the following characteristics: • They provide a backdrop of universal provision to promote the mental health of all and then target those with special needs effectively. • They are multi-dimensional and coherent. • They create supportive climates that promote warmth, empathy, positive expectations and clear boundaries. • They tackle mental health problems early when they first manifest themselves and then take a long term, developmental approach which does not expect immediate answers. • They identify and target vulnerable and at risk groups and help people to acquire the skills and competences that underlie mental health. • They involve end users and their families in ways that encourage a feeling of ownership and participation, and provide effective training for those who run the programmes, including helping them to promote their own mental health. Using these starting points, we need to develop a rigorous evidence-based approach on this issue. We also require the facilitation of the dissemination of such research findings while encouraging new and innovative approaches.

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