BrainWaves was launched in 2023 as a major response to the growing number of young people experiencing mental health concerns and is aiming to be one of the largest longitudinal studies of its kind.

We’re pleased to share that some of the very initial results from our study have been featured in both the Financial Times and The Times. These articles provide an overview of some standout judgments from our initial data, which includes data from nearly 7,000 young people aged 16-18 years old who have already participated in our groundbreaking research.

Led by a group of academics, educationalists and philanthropists, BrainWaves is focused on creating evidence-based, multi-sectoral resources, and providing a free wellbeing curriculum across Key Stage 3-5 that is rooted in the latest brain science and pedagogical evidence. 

Focusing on the high use of mobile phones and time spent on social media platforms, an excerpt from the Financial Times quotes Prof Gallacher: “We found a linear relationship between higher rates of anxiety and depression and time spent networking on social media sites”.

Alongside this key finding, which has gained attention due to the current media discussions surrounding potentially banning smartphones in schools in England, our research takes a holistic approach to understanding the different factors that can contribute to feelings of wellbeing among young people.

This data comes from our Pilot Cohort Study which launched in April 2024 and is the first step in meeting our long-term goals of improving and developing outcomes for adolescent mental health. 

The Pilot Cohort Study included 19 schools and over 7,000 participating students, with the aim of this data being used to shape how we create future resources that can successfully empower, educate and support young people. The data will also help inform the wider work of BrainWaves and will enable us to provide evidence-based interventions and training for use in schools and colleges.

As we look at these initial results, BrainWaves remains focused on creating real-world solutions to the growing problem of adolescent mental health, bridging the gap between education and research, and providing a platform for scientific studies to build on the evidence base and develop educational material for the classroom. 

If you want to be involved in this groundbreaking research and give your students the opportunity to feedback on their experiences and views on mental health education, become a BrainWaves Research Partner!

Our research partners will:

• Receive BrainWaves accreditation in association with the University of Oxford.
• Receive an anonymised cohort data report, giving insights into the mental health and surrounding factors in your school and students. 
• Gain access to complete and comprehensive lesson materials lesson materials that have been developed in partnership with experts, researchers, and the University of Oxford.
• Have the opportunity to take part in free staff development in mental health and wellbeing.

To find out more about what’s involved, then please get in touch with the BrainWaves Schools Recruitment team via support@brainwaveshub.org.