Border Mental health YP
Student Psychological Intervention Trial (SPIT)
The North West of Ireland has very high rates of mental health disorders and suicide. For many people, the symptoms related to these disorders start to develop during their late teens and early 20s. A number of studies have documented the increasing incidence of depression, anxiety and other disorders among the student population. Third level institutions are an excellent place to provide support and assistance to those with mental health problems but results from previous studies suggest that the current support may not be fit for purpose.
The primary goal of the SPIT feasibility study is to determine whether a recently developed web-based intervention is effective in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
This health research will test this, and compare the level of symptoms of depression and anxiety in students in a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing routine campus-based counselling with treatment with the internet intervention.
The results of this research will determine whether addition of an internet intervention to the current mental health services would enhance support options and increase help-seeking among students with mental health problems.
Lead Contact:
Dr Elaine Murray, Ulster University
e.murray@ulster.ac.uk