Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Education

Supervisor

King, Colin B.

Abstract

The mental health of children and youth is a growing concern, with many families facing challenges accessing timely, evidence-based care. The current study evaluates the impact and feasibility of the M.I.friends program, a free, online, family-based early intervention program aimed at supporting children with suspected mental health or behavioural challenges and improving parental mental health literacy (MHL). Using a mixed-methods pre-post design, the study assessed changes in parental MHL across five core domains and gathered qualitative insights through semi-structured interviews. A sample of eleven participants participated in the current research by engaging in at least one semi-structured interview, and seven parents completed all phases of data collection. Paired sample t-tests revealed improvements across all MHL domains, with a statistically significant gain in mental health first aid skills following Bonferroni adjustments. Participants also completed social validity measures in the post-program survey, reporting high relevance, satisfaction, and ease of use. Thematic analysis of interviews highlighted four key themes: desired outcomes and reasons for joining, importance of family-based early intervention, strategies and takeaways from the program, and overall acceptability of the current program. Findings suggest that the M.I.friends program is a promising, acceptable intervention that enhances parental understanding and equips families with strategies to support youth mental health, particularly at early stages of concern. Recommendations for program adaptations, as informed by participant insights, and directions for future research are discussed.

Summary for Lay Audience

Increasingly, children and youth today are struggling with their mental health, often showing signs of anxiety, emotional outbursts, or difficulty coping with everyday challenges. While early support can make a big difference, many families do not know how to respond or where to go for support. Long waitlists, high costs, scheduling conflicts, and stigma can make it difficult to access services. Parents are often the first to notice when their children are struggling and can play a key role in supporting their child’s wellbeing – if they have the right tools and information. This research evaluated a free, online, family-based early intervention program called M.I.friends that aims to support families in learning more about mental health and developing effective coping strategies together. The program includes videos and reflection activities that parents and children can work through at home. It teaches key knowledge and skills, such as how to recognize when a child may be struggling, how to discuss emotions, when to seek more intensive care, and what strategies might assist them with daily challenges. The goal is to give parents the confidence and understanding they need to support their child early. Eleven families participated in this study in some capacity, while seven parents engaged in all data collection phases, through questionnaires and interviews. After using the program, parents reported feeling more knowledgeable and confident in talking to their children about mental health and providing support. They felt the program was relevant to their needs and user friendly. The strongest improvement was in parents’ ability to offer practical support to someone struggling with mental health. Families joined the program to find ways to support their child through mental health or behavioural challenges. Parents desired strategies for improving family conversations and better understanding their child’s feelings. Many found that the program facilitated greater communication and openness with their child and provided them tools to manage difficult moments. While the study involved a small group of participants, the feedback was positive, and the program shows great potential as a helpful and accessible resource for families seeking early intervention and growth in certain areas.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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