# Evaluation of an online training course for educational professionals on depression and mental health in childhood and adolescence

## TL;DR

An online training course improved teachers' knowledge and confidence in supporting students with depression, but reduced stigma effects faded over time.

## Contribution

A concise online training course for educational professionals on adolescent depression was evaluated for its impact on knowledge, confidence, and stigma.

## Key findings

- Knowledge and confidence in supporting pupils with depression increased significantly after the training and were maintained at four weeks.
- Stigmatization decreased immediately after the training but returned to baseline levels at the four-week follow-up.
- The study suggests that brief online training can be an effective strategy for mental health knowledge transfer to educational professionals.

## Abstract

The rising rates in depression and other mental health problems among adolescents in recent years, combined with delayed help-seeking, highlights a clear need for action in key areas of adolescents’ lives. The school environment, including teachers, can provide mental-health support for children and adolescents.

The study used a pre-post-follow-up design to investigate whether a two-hour online training course on depression and mental health in childhood and adolescence leads to knowledge acquisition, confidence in supporting pupils with depression and a decrease in stigmatisation in N = 97 teachers, school social workers and school social pedagogues.

We found a significant increase in knowledge and confidence in supporting pupils with depression at post-assessment, which was maintained at a four-week follow-up. A decrease in stigmatisation was found at post-assessment, which was no longer evident at follow-up.

The results suggest that approaching educational professionals through a concise practical online training course can be a promising strategy for knowledge transfer. Future studies could examine whether such trainings can be adapted to other mental health disorders.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT06387108. Registered on 24.04.24.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13034-025-01007-y.