TReating Unhelpful Suspicious Thoughts in Adolescents (TRUST): a School-based Case Series
The TRUST study is investigating a new six-session programme designed to help teenagers (aged 16-19) with suspicious thoughts, often called paranoia. This programme is delivered in schools. Researchers want to find out if this programme is practical to offer in schools and if young people find it helpful and easy to take part in. They also want to see if it starts to make a difference to their paranoid thoughts. If you're a teenager in a participating school and experience suspicious thoughts, you might be eligible to take part and help understand if this approach could support more young people in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
The TRUST study (which stands for TReating Unhelpful Suspicious Thoughts) is trying out a new way to help teenagers who experience what we call suspicious thoughts, or paranoia. Sometimes, people can have strong feelings that others are trying to harm them or are talking about them behind their backs. These thoughts can be very upsetting and make everyday life difficult.
This study is focused on seeing if a short, six-session programme, delivered right in schools, can be a good way to help young people aged 16 to 19. It uses a gentle approach that involves looking at images and thinking about personal values. The main goal is to find out if offering this kind of help in schools is practical and if teenagers find it easy and useful to take part.
More importantly, the study also wants to get an early idea of whether this programme actually makes a positive difference to how often or how strongly young people experience suspicious thoughts. By understanding this, we can learn if this type of school-based support could be a valuable tool to help many more young people feel better in the future.
Key takeaways
- It's a school-based programme for young people aged 16-19.
- It aims to help with suspicious thoughts (paranoia).
- Participation involves six short sessions and some questionnaires.
- The study wants to see if this programme is helpful and practical to run in schools.
- It's not a medication trial; it's a talking/support programme.
- Your privacy is protected, and you can leave the study at any time.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for young people who are at least 16 years old but no older than 19. You must be attending one of the schools taking part in the study. You should be experiencing suspicious thoughts, which will be checked using a special questionnaire.
It's important that you are not currently receiving other mental health support for your thoughts, as this could make it harder to see if the study programme is effective. You also need to be able to speak English well enough to understand the questionnaires, and generally be in good health with no severe mental health risks.
Some reasons why you might not be able to join include if you have a significant problem with alcohol or drugs, a different learning disability, or are already getting another type of talking therapy. If you have any questions about whether you fit in, it's always best to ask the study team or your doctor.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 16 and 19 years old?
- Do you attend a school involved in this study?
- Do you experience suspicious thoughts?
- Are you currently NOT receiving other counselling or therapy for your mental health?
- Do you feel that your overall physical and mental health is generally stable?
- Do you feel comfortable communicating in English?
What does participation involve?
If you are eligible and choose to take part, you would attend six support sessions. These sessions will happen within your school. Before the sessions start, and again after they finish, you'll be asked to complete some short questionnaires about your thoughts and feelings. This helps the researchers understand if the programme has made a difference. You won't need to take any medication as part of this study, and there won't be any follow-up appointments after you've completed the sessions and final questionnaires. The total time commitment for the sessions and questionnaires would be over several weeks.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Hanson SchoolVerified postcodeBradford, United Kingdom
Common questions
What are 'suspicious thoughts'?
These are strong worries or feelings that other people are trying to harm you, are talking negatively about you, or are against you, even when there's no clear reason for it.
Will anyone outside the study know I'm taking part?
Your personal information will be kept private and confidential. Only the study team will know you are participating.
How long does each session last?
The information doesn't specify an exact length, but these are typically brief support sessions, likely lasting less than an hour each.
What happens if the programme doesn't help me?
The study aims to see if it helps, but it's okay if it doesn't work for everyone. If you have ongoing concerns, it's important to talk to a trusted adult, school counsellor, or doctor.
Is this a new type of therapy?
Yes, it's a new approach specifically for suspicious thoughts in teenagers, using imagery and values-based techniques. This study is testing how well it works and if it can be easily offered in schools.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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