Currently recruiting

Understanding peer support for mental health: experiences of young people

Investigators: Prof. Kelly Allott & Julijana Chochovski

Many young people struggle with their mental health, but more than half don’t reach out to professionals like doctors or counsellors for help. This study looks at how young people in cities support each other through challenges. By understanding these peer connections, we hope to learn how informal support helps young people cope, build resilience, and even find their way to professional help if needed.

What does the study involve?

This study has two phases:

• Phase 1: The online focus group will explore the types of mental health challenges young people discuss with their peers.
• Phase 2: One-on-one phone or video interviews will look at the personal and social aspects of receiving peer support.

Each participant takes part in one session per phase, with a follow-up check-in one week later.

Reimbursement

Participants will be reimbursed $50 per session.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants must:

• be aged 14–17 at the time of the support
• live in an urban area
• have received informal peer support for mental health challenges

Who is not eligible?

• Those outside the age range
• Individuals needing intensive mental health care
• Those without parental consent (if required)
• Individuals living in regional or remote areas

Recruitment

Participation in the study is completely voluntary, and researchers will ensure participants have all information about the study before they provide consent.

For more details please email [email protected]

2025-31341-65215-6