Professor Sonja March is the Director of the Centre for Health Research and a Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Queensland. Sonja has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and leads the Innovative Mental Health Solutions Research Program at UniSQ.

Her research focuses on the use of innovation and technology to improve access to evidence-based psychosocial assessments and interventions in childhood and adolescence. Prof March has developed world-first digital assessments and programs that are being translated into open access public health services, having significant impact in the Australian community.

Many families find it difficult to know when their child might need mental health support, what type of support is best, and where they can access support. We have developed a new animation-based detection tool that allows children to self-report on their emotional and behavioural difficulties without complicated assessments or professional involvement. This project will extend this digital tool into a staged-care mental health screen and support plan (MHSSP) that can be used by children and parents. The MHSSP will help families identify potential mental health difficulties early and receive supports most relevant to their difficulties. A specific aim of the MHSSP is to upskill parents in the identification and understanding of mental health problems (literacy) and treatment options (awareness) to promote access to treatment when needed (help-seeking).

The MHSSP includes online psychoeducation training modules to improve parent problem-recognition, problem-monitoring, and awareness of help-seeking avenues, as well as child problem-recognition and coping. Specialist referrals will also be made into accessible, evidence-based services. This project will test the acceptability and feasibility of the MHSSP compared to care as usual, when delivered in primary school settings through a cluster randomized controlled trial with at least six schools in Queensland. We will test literacy, awareness, and help-seeking before the MHSSP, 6- and 12-weeks later. This free service will provide Australian children and parents with rapid and accessible mental health screening and provide a guided pathway to assist school guidance counsellors in the delivery of child mental health care.

Co-Investigators: Dr Kirsty Zieschank, Dr Michael Ireland and Dr Arlen Rowe.