Up to one in eight children and young people experience mental health problems. Without effective help, these problems go on to have negative consequences throughout the life course. The early identification of children and young people at risk of mental health problems is key to ensure they receive timely support and mitigate long-term negative outcomes. Healthcare services and other organizations (e.g., Local Authorities) hold a great deal of data about children and families. One approach to early identification is bringing together these data to predict who is at risk. However, this approach has a range of ethical, data protection, and practical challenges.
The aim of this project is to understand your views about linking data from different services and organizations to identify children and young people at risk of developing mental health problems. In so doing, we want to explore your preferences for addressing these ethical, data protection, and practical challenges. We think it is really important to give people like you a chance to be heard, and we want to hear in your own words about what matters to you.
What’s involved?
- Supported independent session (this is a requirement to participate in the focus group): viewing in your own time video recordings of presentations by researchers on the topic and on ethical, data protection, and practical challenges and options for addressing these (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes).
- Focus group: recap on the presentations; Q&A session with the researchers; take part in a discussion addressing ethical, data protection, and practical challenges (1/2 day).
There will be a £30 voucher reimbursement for your participation!
If you decide to withdraw at any point from the study, this will not forfeit your voucher.
After reading more about what is involved and agreeing to take part, we will contact you to arrange a time to speak.
Who are we?
This research is insured by University College London and funded by the Medical Research Council. The research is being carried out by researchers at the Evidence Based Practice Unit, based at University College London. This research has been reviewed and approved by University College London Research Ethics Committee (ref.: 16135/003.
You can also read our privacy notice.