This study collected data on secondary school staff confidence and worries around delivering mental health content to students. The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of two new measures developed in Canada and previously tested on a sample of elementary school teachers (Linden &Stuart, 2019). A comprehensive mixed-methods survey was developed including the two measures in question: The Teacher Confidence Scale to Deliver Mental Health Content (TCS-MH) and the What Worries Me Scale (WWMS), as well as a measure of mental health knowledge (MHKS; Dooley et al 2014), mental health stigma (RIBS; Evans-Lacko et al, 2011), teacher efficacy (TSES; Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001), and anxiety (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). The survey also included detailed demographic questions, capturing information both about the participants and their schools. Finally, the survey included an open question where participants were asked to describe their experience of addressing mental health in school. Participants were recruited via social media, via Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland, and via snowball sampling. In total, n=644 secondary school staff members completed the survey. The majority of the final sample were female (n=514) and were subject teachers (n=444), although n=79 of these teachers also reported having an additional role. The final sample also included school leadership, staff in wellbeing support roles, learning support staff, and non-teaching staff. Less than half of the sample indicated that they had received previous mental health training (n=289) and details of this training was included in n=246 responses. N=359 participants also responded to the open question detailing their experience of addressing mental health in the course of their work. Data on the schools represented in the sample fit well with national figures from the Department of Education from the same year.

Non-probability: Availability, Non-probability: Respondent-assisted. Participants were recruited chiefly through social media; study information and links to the survey were posted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We also ran a targeted Facebook ad campaign. Snowball sampling was also employed; study information and survey links were sent to school contacts who further shared the information with their colleagues. Finally, participants were recruited through Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland; study information and links were shared at the end of courses for teachers.

Self-administered questionnaire: Computer-assisted (CASI)