Database of New Zealand mental health research

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Principal contact
Name	Ms Nicola Woodward
Email	Nicola.Woodward@middlemore.co.nz
The research
Summary	Stand Up! was established in July 2006 by a values-based partnership between Counties Manukau DHB, Odyssey House and 6 low decile schools in South Auckland. The Programme aims to improve the resilience, health and social well-being of young people whose lives are adversely influenced by alcohol and/or other drug use.
Objectives	At the time of the evaluation, Stand Up! had been operating as a pilot initiative for over 18 months. The overall aim of the evaluation was to determine a) the impact of the Stand Up! Programme on the health and wellbeing of young people, b) the impact of partnership arrangements on programme effectiveness, c) student perceptions and experience of Stand Up! and d) recommendations for the continued development and improvement of Stand Up! and related youth development practice and policy.
Study design	The evaluation was conducted between June and November 2008 and involved an analysis of client records (including scores on the SACS and SDQ for 398 young people who participated in Stand Up!), a review of the Stand Up! client records systems, interviews/focus groups with key stakeholders (including 33 adult key stakeholders and 81 young people who participated in Stand Up!), a short staff school survey (representing school staff perceptions of the impact of Stand Up! on 85 young people participating in the programme), and observation of two Stand Up! groups.
Methods	Audit / Quality Monitoring, Evaluation
Results	In relation to the health and wellbeing of young people they reported: 1. Positive changes in their use of alcohol and other drugs (including tobacco), 2. Improvements in their personal confidence and skills and broader health, social and cultural wellbeing, and 3. Improved participation in school, and the wider school community in managing alcohol and drug problems
Conclusions	Stand Up! is a very successful programme about which young people are enthusiastic. The Programme has a high retention rate and there are indications of its positive impact on the health and wellbeing of participating young people. In addition to reductions in alcohol and other drugs use, protective factors such as improved self-confidence and social skills have been put in place. Young people are beginning to understand the ramifications of their decisions and are learning to set and achieve positive goals for themselves by making different choices.
Key Descriptors	Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Clinical Practice, Coping Strategies, Early Intervention, Intervention/Treatment, Management, Service Development
Disciplines	Multi disciplinary, Psychology, Social Work, Support Work
Settings	Community, Other
Diagnostic Categories	Addiction & Substance Abuse, Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, General, Other
Populations	General Population
Other Keywords	Resilience, adolescence, alcohol and other drug use, youth development, values-based, partnership
Ethics approval	Yes
Academic led	No
Service led	Yes
How were service users involved	Participants of the research
Publication in peer review journal	No
Supporting information
Uploaded files	Evaluation of the Stand Up! Programme
Links

Page last updated: 7 November 2008