Summary
Youth Aware of Mental health, also known as YAM, is a school-based program for young people ages 13 to 17, in which they learn about and explore the topic of mental health. YAM is an evidence-based program taking place in classrooms around the world. Students actively engage with the topic of mental health through role-play and student-led discussions.
Additional outcomes:
Decreased suicidal ideation; Decreased suicide attempts
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide
Language
English, Spanish, Additional Languages
Cost
Contact provider
# Lessons
5 sessions
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
None
Staffing Requirements
Must be implemented by YAM instructor. Must have a YAM site established in area - currently only in Texas and Montana
Professional Development
Train the Trainer program
Outcomes
Decreased substance use
Improved attitude/behavior related to substance use
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Evidence of Effectiveness
YAM was evaluated in EU-wide Randomized Controlled Trial in which more than 11,000 youth participated. The Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) research project sought to evaluate three school-based interventions for mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Results found YAM effective in reducing new cases of suicide attempts and severe suicidal ideation by approximately 50%. New cases of depression were reduced by approximately 30% in the youth participating in YAM.
Published Studies
Wasserman, C., Wall, M., Eisenberg, R., Hadlaczky, G., Kelleher, I., Sarchiapone, M., Apter, A., Balazs, J., Bobes, J., Brunner, R., Corcoran, P., Cosman, D., Guillemin, F., Haring, C., Iosue, M., Kaess, M., Kahn, J. P., Keeley, H., Musa, G. J., Nemes, B., Postuvan, V., Saiz, P., Reiter-Theil, S., Varnik, A., Varnik, P., & Carli, V. (2015). School-based suicide prevention programmes: the SEYLE cluster-randomised, controlled trial. Lancet, 385(9977), 1536-1544. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61213-7.
Wasserman, C., Postuvan, V., Herta, D., Iosue, M., Varnik, P., & Carli, V. (2018). Interactions between youth and mental health professionals: The Youth Aware of Mental health (YAM) program experience. PLoS ONE, 13(2), e0191843. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191843
Lindow, J. C., Hughes, J. L., South, C., Gutierrez, L., Bannister, E., Trivedi, M. H., & Byerly, M. J. (2019). Feasibility and acceptability of the youth aware of mental health (YAM) intervention in US adolescents. Archives of Suicide Research, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2019.1624667