Harnessing science to create a brighter future for young people
Commencing in 2019, The Future Proofing Study aims to prevent depression and anxiety in young people. This ground-breaking initiative will engage 20,000 Year 8 students and follow them over a 5-year period.
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Why does the study exist?
During adolescence, 50% of all mental health problems emerge, and these can have lifelong consequences. We believe that prevention is better than cure.
We also know we can prevent depression in 22% of young people at risk. However, the major problem is providing these prevention interventions easily and universally. The study aims to discover how we can use smartphones to deliver preventive interventions on a large scale. Comprehensive, technology-assisted data collection and analysis will also help to determine what triggers the development of mental health symptoms.
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What is involved?
Year 8 students involved in the study will use smartphone apps across the five years, which will help us to:
- Determine what triggers the development of mental illness in young people; and
- Identify which measures may protect against the emergence of mental health problems.
Participating schools will be supported by a dedicated Future Proofing team including academics, researchers, clinicians, educators, project managers and coordinators.
When Activity Requirement Year 1, term 1
Pre-study preparation School sign-on
Gain parental consentYear 1, term 2
Commence study phase 1 3 classroom visits from the Future Proofing Team
Completion of online surveysYear 1, term 4
Commence study phase 2 1 classroom visit from the Future Proofing Team
Completion of online surveyYear 2
Study follow up 1 classroom visit from the Future Proofing Team
Completion of online surveyYear 3
Study follow up 1 classroom visit from the Future Proofing Team
Completion of online surveyYear 4
Study follow up 1 classroom visit from the Future Proofing Team
Completion of online surveyYear 5
Study follow up 1 classroom visit from the Future Proofing Team
Completion of online surveyThe Future Proofing Team will provide support in class, face-to-face and over the phone throughout the study.
Register your school's interest in participating by completing the form below
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Thank you for registering your school's interest for the 2019 Future Proofing research trial.