Using a School-Based Depression Literacy Psychoeducation Program With AI Chatbot to Improve Depression Literacy and Help-Seeking Among High School Students
school-based depression literacy program: The structured psychoeducational program comprises four weekly 50-minute sessions that target knowledge of depression (causes and symptom recognition) and strategies for stigma reduction. A physical "Resource Navigation Booklet" is provided to serve as an actionable emotional first-aid kit detailing local help-seeking channels.
Study summary
The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an AI chatbot enhanced school-based depression literacy psychoeducational program, combined with a resource navigation booklet, on high school students in Taiwan.
Despite the high prevalence of depression among adolescents, the treatment gap remains significantly large due to low mental health literacy and high stigma. This study aims to bridge this gap by implementing a 4-week structured psychoeducational intervention. The investigators hypothesize that participants in the experimental group will demonstrate a significant improvement in depression literacy, a reduction in stigmatizing attitudes toward depression, and more positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help compared to those in the control group (regular classes as usual). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
15 Years
Max age
19 Years
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Inclusion Criteria:
* Students aged 15 to 19 enrolled in participating high schools in Taiwan. Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing traditional Chinese, capable of independently completing self-report questionnaires. Willing to participate and provide signed informed assent, alongside signed informed consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment or developmental delay that prevents understanding the curriculum or completing the questionnaires. Currently experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis or exhibiting high risk for self-harm/suicide (e.g., active suicidal ideation, or scoring \>= 15 on the baseline Patient Health Questionnaire-9 \[PHQ-9\], or scoring \>= 1 on item 9 of the PHQ-9). These individuals will be referred to immediate standard psychiatric or school counseling care.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Change in Stigmatizing Attitudes toward Depression — Baseline (1 week prior to intervention) and Immediate Post-test (within 1-2 weeks after the 4-week intervention). Assessed by the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS). The scale measures both personal and perceived stigma. Lower scores indicate lower levels of stigmatizing attitudes toward depression.
Change in Depression Literacy — Baseline (1 week prior to intervention) and Immediate Post-test (within 1-2 weeks after the 4-week intervention). Assessed by the Depression Literacy Questionnaire (D-Lit). Higher scores indicate better mental health literacy and understanding of depression.
Change in Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help — Baseline (1 week prior to intervention) and Immediate Post-test (within 1-2 weeks after the 4-week intervention). Assessed by the full 29-item Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS). Higher scores indicate more positive attitudes and greater willingness to seek professional mental health services.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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