56643Ketka + a platform for mental wellbeing using storytellingClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKYoung people's mental wellbeing today is poorer than that of their parents' generation. Teen suicides have increased by 67% since 2010\. Young people and families need support that works. And that was _before_ the Covid19 crisis. The full psychological impact of the pandemic remains to be seen, but whether as a result of economic adversity, loneliness, anxiety over education, further reduced availability of mental health resources, or numerous other factors: the mental wellbeing of children and their families could be significantly at risk. We have developed an innovative solution: **Ketka**. Ketka promotes better mental health in children through the magic of expertly crafted **interactive audio stories**, where children can choose what happens in their adventures, and families connect. It's not just about having fun; each interactive audio experience is underpinned by an **evidence-based approach,** including cognitive behavioural principles. Children learn positive life skills and explore different courses of action, while being entertained in a safe and fun environment. Parents get customised parenting support and audio experiences of their own. The content is crafted by world-leading experts in mental health and education. It is a powerful alternative to endless screen time. Ketka currently supports kids aged 4-11\. The issues affecting young people at the transition between primary and secondary school, children reaching adolescence, and older teens are different. As will the approach needed to engage and support the families. We want to enable older children to **build and share their own content while learning positive life skills** . For Ketka to offer an effective approach to prevent mental health problems, and reduce distress, its development needs to be directly informed by young people and their families. Our project will involve **three stages:** 1) In-depth interviews and understanding and crucially how young people engage with technology, including creating and sharing content, and coping with loneliness/isolation/stress and uncertainty in the current climate. We will explore potential barriers and facilitators to engagement learning through Ketka. 2) Working with young people and families to shape the adaptation of the technology and approach from the learnings of 1) above, building an interactive creative storytelling platform that delivers what children and families love while being evidence-based. 3) Piloting the newly adapted Ketka web app with families and children aged 11-18\. We will conduct a trial and assess impact on wellbeing, as well as establish how the adapted app is experienced in the 'real world' in diverse families.