This project is a collaboration between Utrecht University, Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam and aims to strengthen the connection between education and youth care to promote the mental health of adolescents. A Response to Intervention model is developed for the approach of school-related stress in secondary school. This is a multi-tier approach for early detection and support of vulnerable students. In phase one, first and second year high school students receive three classical and interactive lessons about stress (i.e., Stress Lessons in secondary education by Simone Vogelaar). In phase two, students who want more help can self-select themselves for one of the skills-training programs offered by the study (performance anxiety or social skills training program).

This current study focuses on phase two. A Randomized Controlled Trial will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of two school-based skills-training programs aiming to promote mental health by improving either skills to deal with performance anxiety or social skills. A multi-informant (i.e., students and trainers) and multi-method (i.e., questionnaires and physiological measurements) approach will be used to assess program targets (skills to deal with performance anxiety or social skills), direct program outcomes (performance or social anxiety) and mental health outcomes (i.e., stress, internalizing and externalizing problems, self-esteem and well-being), as well as specific moderators (i.e., student and program characteristics, social support, perfectionism, stressful life events, perceived parental pressure, program alliance and program integrity).

• intervention studies
• mental health
• secondary school
• stress