Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study

Abstract Background Schools are one of the most common settings in which youth seek mental health services, yet existing school-based mental health interventions are often difficult to implement due to time, cost, and staffing limitations. Digital, self-administered Single Session Interventions (SSI...

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Main Authors: Katherine A. Cohen, Eric Bruns, Aaron Lyon, Tali Raviv, Sara Becker, Jessica L. Schleider
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Implementation Science Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00742-9
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author Katherine A. Cohen
Eric Bruns
Aaron Lyon
Tali Raviv
Sara Becker
Jessica L. Schleider
author_facet Katherine A. Cohen
Eric Bruns
Aaron Lyon
Tali Raviv
Sara Becker
Jessica L. Schleider
author_sort Katherine A. Cohen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Schools are one of the most common settings in which youth seek mental health services, yet existing school-based mental health interventions are often difficult to implement due to time, cost, and staffing limitations. Digital, self-administered Single Session Interventions (SSIs) are evidence-based supports that are intentionally structured to deliver a clinically-meaningful dosage of evidence-based content within one session. Although multiple studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of school-based SSIs, there have been no systemic efforts to understand how SSIs can be practically implemented in schools. The goal of this project is to partner with students, parents, and school staff to identify factors that impact the implementation of SSIs and understand how SSIs can be sustainably integrated as mental health supports into school mental health infrastructure. Methods We will conduct focus groups (five groups, total n = 35–45) among community members (i.e., students, parents/caregivers, teachers, school administrators, and school mental health providers) to assess perceived facilitators and barriers to the effective implementation of evidence-based SSIs in schools (Aim 1). We will then work in partnership with community members (n = 10–15) to co-design multi-level implementation strategies (i.e., student-directed, staff-directed, system-directed) for increasing uptake and promoting sustainability of school-based SSIs (Aim 2). We will use inductive coding to thematically analyze qualitative data from group sessions. This study is being conducted within the Lake Washington School District in the Seattle, Washington region. Discussion The proposed project will be the first to investigate facilitators and barriers to real-world implementation of SSIs in schools and strategies to improve implementation. Future studies may test the effectiveness of the generated implementation strategies on outcomes such as SSI uptake over time.
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spelling doaj-art-98743299b0ff4d5fb39f886fbc1412f12025-08-20T02:15:16ZengBMCImplementation Science Communications2662-22112025-05-01611710.1186/s43058-025-00742-9Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative studyKatherine A. Cohen0Eric Bruns1Aaron Lyon2Tali Raviv3Sara Becker4Jessica L. Schleider5Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineDepartment of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineDepartment of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineAbstract Background Schools are one of the most common settings in which youth seek mental health services, yet existing school-based mental health interventions are often difficult to implement due to time, cost, and staffing limitations. Digital, self-administered Single Session Interventions (SSIs) are evidence-based supports that are intentionally structured to deliver a clinically-meaningful dosage of evidence-based content within one session. Although multiple studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of school-based SSIs, there have been no systemic efforts to understand how SSIs can be practically implemented in schools. The goal of this project is to partner with students, parents, and school staff to identify factors that impact the implementation of SSIs and understand how SSIs can be sustainably integrated as mental health supports into school mental health infrastructure. Methods We will conduct focus groups (five groups, total n = 35–45) among community members (i.e., students, parents/caregivers, teachers, school administrators, and school mental health providers) to assess perceived facilitators and barriers to the effective implementation of evidence-based SSIs in schools (Aim 1). We will then work in partnership with community members (n = 10–15) to co-design multi-level implementation strategies (i.e., student-directed, staff-directed, system-directed) for increasing uptake and promoting sustainability of school-based SSIs (Aim 2). We will use inductive coding to thematically analyze qualitative data from group sessions. This study is being conducted within the Lake Washington School District in the Seattle, Washington region. Discussion The proposed project will be the first to investigate facilitators and barriers to real-world implementation of SSIs in schools and strategies to improve implementation. Future studies may test the effectiveness of the generated implementation strategies on outcomes such as SSI uptake over time.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00742-9SchoolYouth mental healthDigital mental healthSingle Session Interventions
spellingShingle Katherine A. Cohen
Eric Bruns
Aaron Lyon
Tali Raviv
Sara Becker
Jessica L. Schleider
Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study
Implementation Science Communications
School
Youth mental health
Digital mental health
Single Session Interventions
title Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study
title_full Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study
title_fullStr Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study
title_short Advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools: a protocol for a qualitative study
title_sort advancing implementation of single session interventions in schools a protocol for a qualitative study
topic School
Youth mental health
Digital mental health
Single Session Interventions
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-025-00742-9
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