Activate Learning and NCG are linking up with PsycApps Ltd to conduct Britain's largest clinical trial of its type, centred around student mental health.

Utilising the cutting-edge mobile app, eQuoo, they aim to meet the increasing demand for mental health support for young people by targeting the mental health issues that contribute to student non-attendance, academic struggles and dropouts.

The Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) will engage over 8,000 students across both college-based groups, including those at Carlisle College, starting early in the New Year until summer 2025.

Gary Headland, CEO of Activate Learning, underlined the significance of the impending research.

He said: “We are seeing a significant demand in the FE sector to support more and more young people who are struggling with mental ill health.

“We are continuing to build our data science capability and capacity and this very large RCT should provide useful information, intelligence and knowledge of value to Activate Learning and NCG, and we will be pleased to share the findings with professional colleagues across the sector.”

Elsbeth Tibbetts, Group Director of Student Experience and Safeguarding at Activate Learning, said: “The mental health and wellbeing of our students is something we take incredibly seriously.

“I think this is a really bold approach we are taking with NCG by identifying and utilising eQuoo as an effective and engaging evidence-based tool and I hope it’s one that will have enormous benefits for our students.”

Silja Litvin, founder of eQuoo, said: “Our app, eQuoo, has been through multiple clinical trials, but we’re especially excited about our collaboration with Activate Learning and NCG because it allows us to explore the game in an educational setting with a young audience.

“eQuoo is built to support adolescents and young adults, and the data from this trial will help us make the intervention at a preventative stage even more powerful.”