youth focused research; transdisciplinary and translational research; iCARE school based early intervention

Dr. Margaret McAllister, with school health nurses and mental health clinicians developed and trialled a strength-based program in 2010 and 2011 that uses the power of the peer group to effect changes such as (i) an ability to identify and express feelings verbally and (ii) learning to use behavioural alternatives to self-damaging actions. An extended version of iCARE, proposed for 2013 and 2014, aims to find out what impacts this program has on important student, teacher and school outcomes by forming the basis of a multi-faceted mental health intervention for schools. Trained mental health professionals will engage with school teachers as well as young people in the process of group delivery using the power of groups and new media. This paper will focus on the collaborative processes that have been central to the project iCARE’s success to date. Successful collaborations share common implementation requirements (Loucks-Horsey, et al., 1996). We will address the requirements that were central to initiating and sustaining our successful collaborative ways of working.