RecruitingObservational

How effective are walk-in mental health centers for young people with psychological distress in Europe and Australia?

This study, called YEAH, is exploring how effective youth mental health support centres (YEAHs) are for young people aged 12 to 25. These centres offer a range of support, including mental health, physical health, and help with school or work, all in one easy-to-access place. Many young people struggle to get timely mental health help, and these centres aim to remove common barriers. The study will compare young people who use these YEAH centres with those who receive standard care. Researchers will gather information from surveys and interviews over a year to see if the centres improve mental well-being, are well-liked by young people, and are a good use of resources. This will help understand how well these types of services work in different countries.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Maastricht University

Enrolment target

1,220

Start

12 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Prevention and early intervention of mental disorders in youth with psychological distress

What is this study about?

Many young people face mental health challenges, and it can be really tough to get help when you need it. Things like long waiting lists, worries about privacy, or difficulties moving from children's to adult services can make it even harder. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these problems became even more noticeable. To try and make things better, special youth mental health support centres, often called YEAHs, have been set up in various countries.

These YEAH centres are designed to be a ‘one-stop shop’ where young people can get support for a range of needs, not just mental health. This could include help with physical health, sexual health, dealing with drug or alcohol use, and even advice about school or jobs, all in one friendly place. The main idea is to make care easier to find, more welcoming for young people, and to focus on preventing problems from getting worse early on.

This study aims to find out how well these new centres actually work in real life. Are they really helping young people feel better? Do young people find them easy to use and helpful? And are they a good way to spend money on healthcare? Researchers will be carefully looking at various aspects, including how useful the centres are, how safe they are, how many young people they reach, and what makes them successful or unsuccessful. This will involve surveys, interviews, and looking at the costs involved.

Key takeaways

The study explores how well 'walk-in' mental health centres (YEAHs) support young people.
It aims to make getting help for mental health easier and more youth-friendly.
Participants will share their experiences through surveys over a year.
The study compares YEAH centre users with those receiving usual care.
It helps understand if YEAHs improve mental well-being and are good value for money.
Gift vouchers are given for completing surveys.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young people aged between 12 and 25 years old. To join, you should be experiencing some difficulties with your mental well-being or feel distressed. This could mean you have worries or concerns about your mental or physical health, your relationships, school, work, or money.

It's important that you are willing to take part and can understand what the study involves before agreeing to join. If you are under 16, a parent or guardian would also need to agree for you to take part.

You cannot join if you are unable to speak or understand the local study language well enough to answer questions (such as English, German, Italian, or Spanish). Also, if you are currently in a crisis where you are actively considering harming yourself or others, this study might not be the right fit for you, as immediate specialist support would be needed.

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 12 and 25 years old?
Are you experiencing some emotional difficulties or distress?
Are you willing to participate in surveys for about a year?
Can you understand and speak English (or other local study languages) well?
Are you able to agree to take part (or your parent/guardian if under 16)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be joining one of two groups. One group will get support from a YEAH centre alongside any other care you’re currently receiving. The other group will continue with their usual care without using a YEAH centre. The groups are set up this way to help researchers understand the difference YEAH centres make.

You'll be asked to complete surveys four times over a year: at the very beginning, then after 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Most of these surveys will ask you about your mental health, how you're feeling, your quality of life, and your confidence. Some participants might also be asked for interviews or to take part in workshops to share their experiences in more detail. In total, the study will last for about one year from when you start.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer you several benefits. If you're in the group using a YEAH centre, you'll have access to a wide range of integrated support for your mental, physical, and social well-being, all in one place. It's hoped that this access could improve your mental health, boost your self-confidence, and improve your overall quality of life over time compared to just receiving usual care. As a thank you for your time, you'll also receive gift vouchers for completing the surveys. However, there are some potential risks. Thinking and talking about your mental health can sometimes be upsetting or temporarily make you feel worse. The study team is aware of this and will provide information on support services and emergency contacts. If a serious mental health crisis occurs, local emergency services will be contacted immediately. Remember, you can also decide to leave the study at any time.

Locations (8)

University of Birmingham
Approximate
Birmingham, England
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Approximate
Berlin, Germany
University Maastricht
Approximate
Maastricht, Netherlands
Provincia Lombardo Veneta - Ordine Ospedaliero Di San Giovanni Di Dio- Fatebenefratelli
City only
Brescia, Italy
University of Galway
Approximate
Galway, Ireland
Mittetulundusuhing Peaasjad
Unverified
Tallinn, Estonia
Servicio Madrileño de Salud- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón
Unverified
Madrid, Spain
University of Melbourne
Unverified
Melbourne, Australia

Common questions

What is a YEAH centre?

A YEAH centre is a 'one-stop shop' for young people aged 12-25, offering support for mental health, physical health, sexual health, drug and alcohol concerns, and help with school or jobs, all in one place.

Who is running this study?

The study is sponsored by Maastricht University and is being conducted together with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and other centers across Europe and Australia.

Will I get paid to take part?

You will receive gift vouchers for taking the surveys over the course of the study as a thank you for your time.

What if I get worse during the study?

If you experience a crisis or feel worse, you will be given details for support services and emergency contacts. The study team can also contact local emergency or psychiatric care if needed.

When does the study finish?

The study is expected to gather all its information by the end of 2028, with the full study ending by the end of 2029.

How to find out more

Jule Leickert

jule.leickert@charite.de +49 (0)15114552161 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.