RG Translation of evidence-based innovations in Public Mental Health

A major challenge in the field of public mental health is the translation of evidence-based innovations from research into practice and into the public health system. This translation requires a participatory and implementation science perspective and innovative study designs and research methods. This includes co-design/co-production with experience experts, micro-randomized optimization trials or hybrid effectiveness/implementation trials, so that not only the effectiveness but also reach, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the innovation in the public health system can be investigated (as is done, for example, within the framework of the international IMMERSE consortium).

The research group of Dr. Schick therefore focuses on the evaluation and implementation of important innovations in different domains of public mental health. This ranges from measures to promote competence in the field of mental health (e.g., evaluation of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training) to measures for indicated prevention and early intervention (e.g., hybrid training based on the method of Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI)) and the use of digital experience-sampling-based monitoring in routine care. Since 2024, Dr. Schick has been coordinating a blocked nested cluster randomized controlled trial implementing an innovative research design to investigate the effectiveness of MHFA training in the setting of education and training, including a first investigation of first aid provided to recipients and a process evaluation to determine the mechanisms of action of the training among participants and recipients. The development of new measures in collaboration with stakeholders (MHFA program developers, instructors, course participants) helps to monitor the (training) effects and the implementation of the training more comprehensively. 

In the public mental health domains of prevention and intervention, Dr. Schick`s research group evaluates digital interventions in terms of their feasibility as well as their effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and implementation in routine care. To this end, Dr. Schick`s research group conducts randomized controlled trials and clinical trials of (digital) medical devices to pave the way for the successful translation of evidence-based innovations in the field of public mental health. Another focus of the research group is the integration of sensor data from actigraphy and ECG sensors in order to define digital markers for the targeted presentation of intervention components in everyday life and thereby further develop innovative intervention methods such as EMIs. There is close collaboration with other research groups within the Department of Public Mental Health, the DZPG and beyond.