Frequently asked Questions

For the ENTER study, we are recruiting participants aged 12-35 who live in London or Glasgow. We are interested in people who are experiencing mental health difficulties, including any of the following:

• Struggling to cope at school, college, or work.
• Feeling out of touch with reality.
• Feeling that things and people seem strange or unreal.
• Experiencing distressing or unusual thoughts, such as feeling paranoid or suspicious.
• Hearing or seeing things that other people cannot hear or see.
• Finding it hard to think or speak clearly.
• Being less interested in things that used to bring enjoyment.
• Preferring to spend time alone, away from family and friends.

We would like to ask participants who are currently not undergoing treatment for mental health problems to take part, who may feel that they can benefit from taking part in this study. In addition, participants who are currently undergoing treatment at NHS in- or outpatient services can participate in the study.

If you are between 12 to 35 years of age and have schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder, you are not eligible for the ENTER study.

Taking part in research is a safe activity, conducted under supervision of health professionals. As part of the ENTER study, you will be asked questions about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings. For some, talking about experiences of mental health can sometimes be distressing, while others might find it alleviating or interesting. If you become distressed during an assessment, the measurement will be discontinued. Also, all efforts are made to accommodate any individual participant’s circumstances and preferences.

Youth mental health is a growing issue in the United Kingdom that requires innovative solutions. Very frequently, young people experiencing mental health difficulties do not receive the support they need for their mental health at the right time. The goal of the ENTER study is to improve our ability to offer early support to young people experiencing mental difficulties via the use of an online early detection tool. We hope that the ENTER study will be informative for developing effective strategies for early intervention in youth mental health.

We strongly believe that mental health calls all of us into action. Taking part in research advances our understanding of mental disorders and helps us develop better solutions.

There are many reasons why you might be interested in taking part in mental health research. Some can include:

• To do something interesting, new, or different.
• To contribute to advancing our understanding of mental health problems.
• To learn about scientific research from World-class researchers and clinicians.
• To learn about different mental disorders: their symptoms, causes, and available treatments.
• To know more about yourself and your mental health.
• To obtain monetary compensation for your time and contributions.

Research projects recruiting participants have all received ethical approval by an independent ethics committee. This is a very strict process to ensure that the safety, comfort and confidentiality of participants are protected. The ENTER study has received ethical approval by an independent NHS Ethics committee and the Health Research Authority.

Prior to enrollment, you have the right to receive complete and easy-to-understand information about the ENTER study. This is available in the ENTER Participant Information Sheet. Here you will find all the relevant information about the study to allow you to make an informed decision to be involved or not. 

You are also entitled to confidentiality across all stages of the study. After enrollment, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, without any immediate or future consequence.

We make the highest efforts to ensure the confidentiality and safety of all data obtained during research. Confidentiality of personal information is a common concern for participants. This is completely understandable, as research often involves providing sensitive and personal information.

Your participation in the ENTER study will be kept confidential. Our researchers are professionals with extensive training and experience in working with sensitive data in both academic and clinical settings. With permission from you, your GP will be informed that you are taking part in the study if you are invited and agree to take part in the interviews with members of the ENTER team.

If during the ENTER study you share information that makes the research team concerned for your safety or the safety of other people, we may be required to tell others involved in your care (for example, your keyworker or Psychiatrist). We will always notify you beforehand if we are going to do this, and explain why.