Can WhatsApp help teachers deliver mental health care? new study in sierra leone aims to find out

NCT ID NCT05737667

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study in Sierra Leone tests whether using mobile phones to supervise teachers can improve how they deliver a mental health program called the Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI) to students. About 1,454 youth and their teachers from secondary schools will take part. The YRI is a group therapy that helps young people manage emotions, build relationships, and solve problems. Some teachers will get supervision via mobile phone (using WhatsApp and other tools), while others will have standard in-person supervision. The study will measure how well the program is delivered and whether it helps youth mental health.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI) - a group therapy program delivered by teachers

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that using mobile phones to supervise teachers is a practical way to expand mental health support for youth in low-resource settings.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage implementation study, not a treatment trial. The main focus is on how well the program is delivered, not on proving it works for mental health. Results may not apply to other regions or settings.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Innovations for Poverty Action

    Freetown, Sierra Leone