African Youth in Mind (Y-MIND) - Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Brief Psychological Intervention for Older Adolescents With Depression Delivered Through Senior High Schools in Navrongo, Ghana

African Youth in Mind (Y-MIND) - Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Brief Psychological Intervention for Older Adolescents With Depression Delivered Through Senior High Schools in Navrongo, Ghana

The overarching aim of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of implementing a psychological intervention (Y-MIND), delivered by school guidance and counselling coordinators, for the treatment of depression among adolescents in senior high schools in Ghana. The study is a parallel arm cluster randomised controlled pilot trial. We will recruit adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in senior high schools. Participants will be randomised to receive the Y-MIND psychological intervention or enhanced usual care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in senior high schools located within the Kassena-Nankana Municipality and Kassena-Nankana West District
• Have scored 10 or more on the locally validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
• be willing and able to be followed up for 5 months and provide informed consent or assent
• For adolescents 15-17 years participants must have 5) access to a caregiver to obtain informed consent
• All participants must have the ability to read, write and communicate in English language.

Exclusion Criteria:

• are currently receiving any psychological treatment (talking therapy) for any common mental disorder through formal health care services
• have active bipolar disorder or psychosis (assessed through a brief screening tool for bipolar disorder and psychosis)
• have advanced or chronic physical illness (assessed through self-report)
• have significant visual or hearing impairment which would interfere with their ability to take part in the study
• are actively suicidal (assessed through the use of a four-item screening tool administered by a psychiatric nurse and reviewed by the trial clinical psychologist