Research and Innovation
Recent "preliminary findings": where learning and development can prosper
A recent study (funded by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation) explored how emotional wellbeing and academic success are connected, in schools where Community Keepers and Click Learning work together. At a school level, there are consistent trends of better academic performance (literacy) where both psychosocial and academic support are present. Please follow this link for more >>
Collaboration
The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Adolescents Aged 15–18 in Western Cape, South Africa, Authors: Cebokazi Ngcakani-Mtati1, Emily Garman, Chesney Ward-Smith, Katherine Sorsdahl, Claire Van Der Westhuizen, 2026
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Co-adapted Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) Intervention for South African Adolescents with Symptoms of Depression or Anxiety, and Their Caregivers Authors: , ,
Perceived feasibility and acceptability of an innovative emotion regulation programme with physical activity elements for older South African adolescents from low-income settings: a qualitative study Authors: C. Ward-Smith, Katherine Sorsdahl, M. Berking, 2025
Co-author
A model of community youth mental health support services in the global South: A description and use of school-based services delivered by a non-governmental organisation in South Africa Authors: S Human, M. E. Loades, H Gericke, G Laning, M Bartlett, B. J. Coetzee, 2024
Debate: Where to next for universal school‐based mental health interventions? Addressing the mental health crisis among young people in low‐ and middle‐income countries Authors: Bronwyne Coetzee, Maria Loades
Tackling South Africa’s teen mental health crisis As part of her PhD research Mkhize adapted and tested a World Health Organization (WHO) intervention called Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE), and Chesney Ward-Smith tested the adolescent #FeelThinkMove (#FTM) Programme) News article discussing research by the UCT Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, PhD candidates Mirriam Mkhize and Chesney Ward-Smith, 2024
The impact of the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on referral patterns and therapeutic service provision for children and young people’s psychosocial distress in a Low-or Middle-Income Country: A service evaluation of routinely collected data from a non-government organisation operating in schools in the Western Cape, South Africa Authors: Emma Wilson, Maria E Loades, Suzanne Human, Bronwyne Coetzee, Hermine Gericke, Gerrit Laning, 2024
Four Steps To My Future (4STMF): acceptability, feasibility and exploratory outcomes of a universal school‐based mental health and well‐being programme, delivered to young adolescents in South Africa in Child and Adolescent Mental HealthAuthors: Bronwynè Coetzee, Maria Loades, Suzanne Human, Hermine Gericke, Gerrit Laning, Martin Kidd, Paul Stallard, 2023
4 Steps To My Future (4STMF): protocol for a universal school-based pilot and feasibility study of a CBT-based psychoeducational intervention to support psychological well-being amongst young adolescents in the Western Cape, South AfricaAuthors: Bronwynè J. Coetzee, Maria E. Loades, Suzanne Human, Hermine Gericke, Helene Loxton, Gerrit Laning, Naomi Myburg and Paul Stallard, 2022
South African youth’s understanding of feelings, thoughts and behaviours: Implications for the development of CBT-based mental health interventions
Authors: Suzanne Human, Hermine Gericke, Maria Loades, Paul Stallard and Bronwynè J. Coetzee, 2022
What should a Universal School-Based Psychoeducational Programme to Support Psychological Well-Being amongst Children and Young People in South Africa Focus on and how should it be Delivered? A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective Authors: Bronwynè J. Coetzee, Hermine Gericke, Suzanne Human, Paul Stallard, Maria Loades, 2021
Universal school-based mental health programmes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and narrative synthesis Authors: Melissa Bradshaw, Hermine Gericke, Bronwynè J. Coetzee, Paul Stallard, Suzanne Human, Maria Loades, 2021
A description highlighting the psychosocial problems experienced by learners in three secondary schools in the Western Cape Authors: Philip Geldenhuys Annemarie Youngleson, 2010
A multidimensional perspective on the family experiences and perceptions of male youth offenders. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University (MA thesis) Author: Philip Geldenhuys, 2007