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Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health

Skills for Adolescent WELLbeing study

a young woman in pink and purple writing at a desk

The Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health is carrying out an exciting research study focused on protecting young people against depression.

The Skills for Adolescent Wellbeing (SWELL) study involves young people aged between 13 and 19 and their parent or carer.

While the study is still ongoing, recruitment to the study closed in March 2026.

The study includes support for parents experiencing low mood. It also tests whether an online group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for young people helps protect against depression and improve quality of life for adolescents.

The group CBT programme focuses on helping young people learn and apply skills for managing stress and boosting wellbeing.

Who is taking part?

The SWELL study includes parents who have experienced low mood or have been diagnosed with depression.

Parents taking part also have a child who is aged between 13 and 19 who has experienced low mood, but does not require specialist treatment.

What does it involve for participants?

Parents who were depressed at the start of the study have received an optimised, personalised 12-week programme, including treatment from the trial doctors and clinical team.

Young people taking part have been randomly allocated to either:

  • attend an online CBT group to learn skills for supporting wellbeing
  • continue as usual

All parents and young people have also been completing questionnaires and interviews during the course of the study. Online questionnaires have been completed at the at the start of the study, at 3 months and at 9 months follow up. Online interviews have been completed with researchers at the start of the study and at 9 months follow up.

Watch a short video about the study to learn more.

Benefits of taking part

  • participants are reimbursed for their time with vouchers (up to a maximum of £160)
  • parents who met diagnostic criteria for depression at the start of the study received optimised treatment from the study specialist doctor
  • some young people have taken part in a group CBT program, learning skills to cope with stress and improve their wellbeing
  • taking part in the study is contributing to developing a greater understanding of interventions that may help prevent depression in young people

Further information

Recruitment to the study closed to new participants in March 2026.

The research team is continuing to work with young people and their parents/carers who are already enrolled.

If you have any questions about the study or your participation, you can contact the Wolfson Centre research team via email at SWELL@cardiff.ac.uk.