The DISCOVER Implementation (DI) study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The DISCOVER implementation (DI) study: Investigating the sustainability and scale-up of a school based intervention to improve the mental wellbeing of 16-18 years olds across six regions in England
IRAS ID
347621
Contact name
June Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 22 days
Research summary
The prevalence of mental health problems among young people, particularly adolescents, has increased significantly. However, specialist services lack capacity and are often not used by young people. DISCOVER is a brief, group-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention, co-designed with 16–18-year-olds and delivered by Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools. The BESST trial demonstrated DISCOVER’s clinical and cost-effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms across 900 diverse students in 57 schools at 6 months’ follow-up.
This protocol outlines a three-year, mixed-methods implementation study evaluating the scalable, sustainable delivery of DISCOVER across six English regions—three with prior experience (SUSTAIN) and three new sites (SCALE). The study is underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
Five work packages (WPs) guide the study:
1. Develop an Outcomes Measurement Framework to assess clinical and economic outcomes.
2. Support MHST-led delivery of DISCOVER in 24 schools, tracking fidelity and adaptation.
3. Identify implementation facilitators and barriers using CFIR.
4. Evaluate the implementation costs of DISCOVER
5. Create a national DISCOVER implementation guide and toolkit.
Outcomes will be measured using digital tools such as Pod. The primary outcome is depressive symptoms (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes include anxiety (RCADS) and quality of life (EQ-5D). Students will self-refer, and data will be collected at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
This study will inform NHS and educational policy by identifying how DISCOVER can be effectively and equitably embedded in routine practice across schools in England.WP3 will be led by Middlesex University, who have provided ethical approval for staff and stakeholder interviews, and as such, this application excludes those elements of the study. Student interviews proposed for WP3 are included.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0817
Date of REC Opinion
7 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion