Study of Self-Help and Support Services for Student Mental Health in Tertiary Institutions

NCT06623682 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SBRE-23-0966A
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 1,684
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This proposed study aims to evaluate the implementation of integrating the existing services in tertiary education institutions with the JCTH+ platform. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of JCTH+ on students' mental health outcomes as compared to service as usual, and to assess the cost-utility of the platform to determine whether the benefits of implementing the platform justify the costs associated. It is hypothesized that participants who receive integrated self-help and support services will show (H1) a greater reduction in mental health symptoms, and (H2) better mental well-being compared with participants in the control condition, i.e. service-as-usual (SAU).

Conditions

Mental Health; Mental Well-being; Psychological Intervention; Self-care

Keywords

Online Psychological Intervention; Mental Health; Mental Well-being; Self-care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Recovery Quality of Life-20

  It measures the quality of life in individuals with mental health conditions using a 5-point scale from 0 (none of the time) to 4 (most or all of the time). It focuses on aspects crucial to those recovering from mental illness, such as well-being, self-perception, relationships, and activity. Total scores ranged from 0 to 80, where higher scores indicated higher overall quality of life. The scale is validated for its reliability and sensitivity in the Chinese-Hong Kong population, making it an effective tool for both clinical settings and research to track recovery progress and treatment outcomes in mental health in the local context.

  Baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment

  Baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months

• Patient Health Questionnaire

  Baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months

• Self-Stigma Of Seeking Help

  Baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months

• Youth Empowerment Scale-Mental Health

  Baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months

• 5-level EQ-5D version

  Baseline, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months

Study Arms (2)

JCTH+-integrated mental health services

EXPERIMENTAL

In the intervention arm, the JCTH+ platform will be integrated into the existing services of tertiary education institutions and introduced to students through mass advertisement within the institution. After randomization, three tertiary education institutions are allocated in this arm, including Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), University of Hong Kong (HKU), and Hong Kong University's School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE). Students will be invited to join this study and give consent adhering to the declaration of Helsinki.

Behavioral: Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy

Service-as-usual (SAU)

NO INTERVENTION

In the no-intervention group, participants will continue with their usual practice, i.e. service-as-usual (SAU), for 4 months before implementing the project. After randomization, three tertiary education institutions are allocated in this arm, including The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Tung Wah College (TWC) and City University of Hong Kong (CityU). The same integration procedure will be implemented after this waiting period.

Interventions

Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy BEHAVIORAL

Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy for both depression and anxiety that including modules from (1) Mindfulness-based intervention, (2) Rumination-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, and also including modules for insomnia and from Mindwork (Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy).

JCTH+-integrated mental health services

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• years old or above
• Able to read Chinese or English
• With internet connection and able to access the internet
• With moderate-severe GAD-7 a/o moderate-severe PHQ-9
• studying full-time at a tertiary education institution in Hong Kong

You may not qualify if:

• not able to read and understand Chinese;
• under 18 years old;
• not able to access the Internet or use digital devices
• without depressive symptoms or anxiety symptoms

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chinese University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

Diversity and Well-being Lab

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Winnie WS MAK

CONTACT

+852 3943 6577; wwsmak@cuhk.edu.hk

Alan CY TONG, PhD

CONTACT

+852 98117663; alantong@cuhk.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 20, 2024
• First Posted: October 2, 2024
• Study Start: October 9, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 29, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 29, 2026
• Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)