Sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools (SCRAMS)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
Abstract
Adolescence is a key developmental stage for the onset of mental illness. It is also a time when getting enough sleep becomes a major challenge. Disrupted sleep represents an important potential risk factor for mental ill-health in young people but this is an area that has not yet been properly investigated. This project will build on already well-established links with schools in Scotland (the Schools Health and Wellbeing Improvement Research Network, called SHINE) to develop a UK-wide research collaboration focused on investigating sleep and mental health within schools. Schools-based research of this kind offers many advantages in terms of the large-scale recruitment of young people to research studies, plus schools-based treatments have considerable potential to influence long-term mental health outcomes at a population level. With input from pupils, parents and teachers, we will design and carry out a programme of public engagement focused on sleep and mental health within schools. We will also conduct a series of small-scale feasibility studies that will help us to design more comprehensive studies in the future. These studies will find the most effective way to collect objective sleep and mental health data, light exposure data (both natural light and artificial light), and biological samples in adolescents within schools. Overall, this project has the potential to establish a new schools-based adolescent mental health research consortium focused on understanding the complex relationships between sleep, light exposure and mental wellbeing, with a view to developing better interventions for mental health in the future.
Technical Summary
The overarching purpose of this consortium is to develop UK research capacity for investigating how sleep and circadian function impacts on mental health outcomes for adolescents, using the schools setting as a basis for recruitment and future intervention. The proposed activities are:
1. Three face-to-face engagement/collaboration meetings: at the beginning of the project (April 2020); at project mid-point (November 2020); and at the end of the project (March 2021). The first of these will be held in Glasgow but we anticipate hosting meetings two and three in Oxford and Guildford/London (where several co-applicants are based).
2. A regular series of monthly Skype/Zoom meetings to discuss scientific research questions, guide pilot/feasibility data collection, develop dissemination activities and co-design future research.
3. A series of co-designed feasibility and pilot studies in SHINE schools:
a) Testing the feasibility of a novel wearable sensor for light in adolescents
b) Collecting actigraph data and light exposure data for longer periods during the winter and summer months and at different latitudes
c) Feasibility work on sleep and cognitive functioning in adolescent pupils
d) Assessing potential facilitators and barriers to the collection of biological samples in schools.
4. A programme of engagement activities on sleep and mental health with pupils and schools.
1. Three face-to-face engagement/collaboration meetings: at the beginning of the project (April 2020); at project mid-point (November 2020); and at the end of the project (March 2021). The first of these will be held in Glasgow but we anticipate hosting meetings two and three in Oxford and Guildford/London (where several co-applicants are based).
2. A regular series of monthly Skype/Zoom meetings to discuss scientific research questions, guide pilot/feasibility data collection, develop dissemination activities and co-design future research.
3. A series of co-designed feasibility and pilot studies in SHINE schools:
a) Testing the feasibility of a novel wearable sensor for light in adolescents
b) Collecting actigraph data and light exposure data for longer periods during the winter and summer months and at different latitudes
c) Feasibility work on sleep and cognitive functioning in adolescent pupils
d) Assessing potential facilitators and barriers to the collection of biological samples in schools.
4. A programme of engagement activities on sleep and mental health with pupils and schools.
Planned Impact
This project will develop a UK-wide research consortium focused on understanding the complex relationships between sleep and mental health in adolescents, with a view to developing new treatment approaches for adolescent depression and anxiety disorders in the future. Much of the work during the 12-month project will build collaborations between researchers from different disciplines (including developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, clinical psychology, chronobiology, vision science and epidemiology) alongside engagement activities with pupils, parents, teachers, schools, third sector organisations, educationalists and policy-makers within government. The feasibility and pilot data collections that we have proposed will be discussed in detail with these key academic and non-academic stakeholders so that the research questions can be developed further and modified, to ensure that the research activities are relevant and meaningful to end-users. In the longer-term, we expect our findings to shape educational policy such that an understanding of healthy sleep (and its relevance to good mental health) becomes a key component of the health and wellbeing curriculum in all UK schools.
Organisations
Publications
Huggins C
(2021)
TeenCovidLife: a resource to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents in Scotland
in Wellcome Open Research
| Title | Illustrated comic - 'Enlighten your clock: How your body tells time'. |
| Description | The SCRAMS project created a comic, 'Enlighten your clock: How your body tells time', to coincide with the UNESCO International Day of Light on Sunday 16th May 2021. The comic was written and illustrated by Coline Weinzaepflen, Masters student at the University of Strasbourg, and edited by Dr Manuel Spitschan at the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford. The comic provides a light-hearted, funny and scientifically grounded introduction to the science of sleep, suitable from the age of 13 years. The reader learns about the body clock, the brain basis of sleep, sleep conditions such as insomnia and narcolepsy, and how to improve sleep. The complex science on these subjects is illuminated through beautiful drawings and a charming narrative which bring the concepts to life. The main protagonist is a cat - a pet species notable for seemingly sleepy behaviour - guiding the human character. As the biological clock underlies many aspects of our physiology and behaviour, the book addresses a key need to explain how the environment impacts on our brain and our body. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Impact | Audiences have reported change in views or opinions helped by the way the beautiful drawings and charming narrative teaches the basics of circadian and sleep science in a fun and engaging way. |
| URL | https://enlightenyourclock.org/ |
| Description | Acquiring rich longitudinal passive sleep data across childhood and adolescence (8-18yrs)-the AMBIENT sleep study |
| Amount | £150,803 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/X028917/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2023 |
| End | 07/2025 |
| Description | Mental Health and Circadian Science Network |
| Amount | £634,617 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/X009726/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2026 |
| Description | Children's Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference Really Practical Ways to Support, 24th May 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 75 teachers attended the Children's Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference to provide them with knowledge updates, best practice, practical information, ideas and resources on what they can do to best support children and young people's mental health and wellbeing. Professor Daniel Smith gave a presentation on Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, Light and Mental Health in Young People. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://medicacpd.com/storage/event-leaflets/CMHW%20Conference%20Leaflet%202022.pdf |
| Description | Glasgow Science Festival 2021: Science on the Sofa, New science-based comic book - 'Enlighten your clock: How your body tells time', September 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The new science-based comic book - 'Enlighten your clock: How your body tells time' developed as part of the SCRAMS project was featured at the Glasgow Science Festival 2021:Science on the Sofa. The comic book provides a light-hearted, funny and scientifically grounded introduction to our biological clock, sleep, and how these are affected by the light we are exposed to. It is suitable for all readers from the age of 13 years. The main protagonist is a cat - a pet species notable for seemingly sleepy behaviour - guiding the human character. As the biological clock underlies many aspects of our physiology and behaviour, the book addresses a key need to explain how the environment impacts on our brain and our body. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://www.glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk/events/sciencefestival/gsf2021/ |
| Description | Government engagement to support initiatives in schools to support the development of policy concerning sleep and mental health, including member of the Expert Reference Group for Public Health England's review on sleep and health. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Members of the SCRAMS team have engaged with the government to support initiatives in schools and to support the development of policy concerning sleep and mental health. For example, Professor Alice Gregory (co-investigator) has provided information about sleep to policy advisors with the Department for Education - 'Health and Prevention' section of the Statutory Guidance, which came into effect in September, 2020 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health) Alice Gregory helped to developed teaching in schools at both the junior and secondary level concerning sleep and circadian rhythms. This will likely have impacted tens of thousands of children and adolescents. Contributions to discussions about sleep and mental health will likely make a difference to policy and therefore the public in due course. Alice Gregory is also a member of the Expert Reference Group for Public Health England's review on sleep and health (September 2020-March 2021) https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/08/Sleep-and-Health-review-commission.pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health |
| Description | Invited speaker and poster presentation at the British Sleep Society Virtual Sleep 2021, 5th November 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Daniel Smith was an invited speaker at the British Sleep Society Virtual Conference, 4th to 6th November 2021. The presentation (Circadian rhythm disorders in adolescents: SCRAMS Collaboration) was included in the British Paediatric Sleep Society Symposium on the 5th November 2021. The findings from the SCRAMS feasibility studies were also shared in the poster presentations and published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research (2021 - Volume 8 - Suppl 1). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.sleepsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BSS-Programme-v14.pdf |
| Description | Keynote Speaker at the Brazilian Sleep Congress, São Paulo, 14th December 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Daniel Smith was an invited keynote speaker at the Brazilian Sleep Congress SONO 2021, 12th to 15th December 2021, in São Paulo Brazil. The presentation (Mental health and circadian rhythms in adolescents) was included in the 'Chronobiology and sleep: the role of biological rhythms in mental health' symposium on the 14th December 2021 and included findings from the SCRAMS project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://fellini.group/en/evento/congresso/xviii-congresso-brasileiro-do-sono |
| Description | Media contact work to promote the importance of sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health as widely as possible by Professor Gregory as part of the SCRAMS award. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Over the course of the SCRAMS engagement award, Alice Gregory has responded to media requests to provide accurate and up to date information about sleep and circadian rhythms to the wider public. Her work has been targeted at audiences in the UK (Guardian, Daily Mail, Telegraph, BBC) and elsewhere (e.g. NBC News USA, New York Times, Harvard Business Review; Mid-day, India). Below are a selection of the media reports that have quoted/included work by Alice Gregory during her time working on the SCRAMS project: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9206017/Cant-drag-bed-DNAs-blame-say-scientists.html https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/boris-johnson-nap-benefits-health-b1789586.html https://www.marthastewart.com/8054047/dna-impact-sleep-patterns-new-study https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/a-scientists-guide-to-life-how-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/well/family/children-sleep-pandemic.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200617194508.htm https://psychcentral.com/news/2020/06/24/teens-poor-sleep-tied-to-later-depression-anxiety#1 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-get-a-good-nights-tips-from-the-experts-6h0nhh26j https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/17/shut-eye-and-sleep-hygiene-the-truth-about-why-you-keep-waking-up-at-3am https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/healthy-routine-looks-like-now-dinner-has-become-tea/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/mind/sleeping-now-lockdown-sleep-tribe/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/secrets-of-baby-sleep/zh9mmfr https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/1-3-of-life-spent-asleep-impacts-2-3-spent-awake-22971230 https://www.today.com/video/the-science-behind-why-people-claim-to-see-ghosts-95067717666 https://hbr.org/2020/09/learn-how-to-beat-your-body-clock-and-get-an-early-start https://www.facebook.com/timesandsundaytimes/videos/2642051439448030/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9206017/Cant-drag-bed-DNAs-blame-say-scientists.html |
| Description | New methods to measure sleep, SHINE National Network Conference, 16th May 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Over 100 teachers, education professionals, policy makers and third sector representatives attended the 4th annual SHINE (Schools Health and Wellbeing Improvement Research Network) National Network Conference together with a variety of health researchers. The theme was "From evidence to action: a whole-school approach to improving young people's mental health and wellbeing." Delegates and the nine SHINE schools who had taken part in the SCRAMS projects had the opportunity to hear about the latest research on new methods to measure sleep in 8-18yrs and how to get involved in the AMBIENT-Teens project. The presentations and collaborative session facilitated cross-sectoral knowledge exchange and planning for future collaboration between academics and schools. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://shine.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/2023/05/17/shine-national-network-conference-2023/ |
| Description | Oxford Sparks online event, 'Body clock', Tuesday 6th July 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Oxford Sparks (https://www.oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/) hosted an online event, 'Body clock', on Tuesday, 6th July at 4.30pm with body clock expert Dr Manuel Spitschan and neuroscientist and illustrator Coline Weinzaepflen, who created the SCRAMS's comic book 'Enlighten your clock - How your body tells time' (https://enlightenyourclock.org/). During the live Q&A Manuel answered questions while Coline illustrated them. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfm2WNBIF4k |
| Description | SCRAMS 'Sleep in schools' week in SHINE schools, 8th-12th June 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | SCRAMS (Sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools) and SHINE (Schools Health and Wellbeing Improvement Research Network) researchers, in collaboration with the charity Sleep Scotland and pupils from two SHINE schools, Blairgowrie High School and Craigmount High School, developed a virtual 'Sleep in Schools' week, which ran for all their pupils from 8th to 12th June 2020. The aim of the sleep week was to explore young people's sleep habits and raise awareness of the importance of getting a good night's sleep for mental wellbeing, especially at this unprecedented time of the Covid pandemic. Later it is planned to launch a brief survey to measure young people's knowledge and perceptions about sleep and sleep research in a more conventional way to cross-validate data from the 'Sleep in School' week activities. There will be more opportunities for schools to get involved in future engagement activities and the feasibility research studies from Autumn 2020. The programme of activities that has been co-produced with pupils and teachers included: • Using Sleep Scotland's 'Sound Sleep' resources including a sleep quiz, sleep habits and behaviours questionnaires, and checklist for sleepy teenagers within Personal & Social Education (PSE) lessons. • School-wide exercises for pupils reflecting on their sleep and activity levels and how these relate to mental wellbeing and then sharing these thoughts with their peers, parents and teachers. • 'Meet the sleep scientist' videos for pupils and teachers. • Sleep vlogs by nominated sleep champions in each school. A fantastic summary video was made by sleep champions and teachers at Blairgowrie High School discussing all the learning and resources (https://youtu.be/WG_7zsz_TwM). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://scrams.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/?page_id=114 |
| Description | School summary reports from the Sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools (SCRAMS) feasibility study, January 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The nine schools participating in the SCRAMS feasibility study were provided with a summary report of results and take home messages in January 2022. Data collection took place in winter 2020/21 and summer 2021 and aimed to assess the feasibility of collecting objective data on sleep, mood, cognitive function, and school engagement from schoolchildren across Scotland. The results of the study will inform larger-scale research on sleep and mental health data in adolescents. Schools shared the reports with pupils and their wider school community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Schools, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools (SCRAMS) mini conference 26th October 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 110 participants attended the SCRAMS virtual mini conference on the 26th October 2020. There were six presentations looking at the relationship between sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in adolescents (including Autism & Sleep Disruption, Sleep and mood disorders, Puberty and changes in sleep patterns and Adolescents'sleep/wake patterns and school schedules). The aim was also to connect with other sleep researchers, practitioners, policymakers and build collaborations. There was also a presentation of the SCRAMS feasibility research studies that will take place in SHINE (Schools Health and Wellbeing Improvement Research Network, gla.ac.uk/shine) schools. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://scrams.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/?page_id=114 |
| Description | Sleep and Depression Q&A - Depression Detectives, 26th May 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Depression Detectives (https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/depressiondetectives/) is a user-led citizen science project. It brings together people with lived experience of depression, and researchers who study it, as equal partners. The aim is to get researchers listening to and working with non-scientists and put lived experience at the heart of research. As part of Depression Detectives weekly Q&As with scientists and experts who work on depression or related topics are held. On the 26th May 2021 Daniel Smith and Heather Whalley from the SCRAMS (Sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools) project hosted the Sleep and Depression Q&A which included discussion on the connection between disturbed sleep/circadian rhythms and mood disorders and delaying school start times. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/depressiondetectives/2021/06/01/sleep-and-depression-a-qa-with-daniel-smith/ |
| Description | The Adolescent Health Conference 2020: working together to bridge the gap, 3rd December 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Adolescent Health Conference 2020: working together to bridge the gap was organised by the Royal Colleges of Psychiatry, Physicians, General Practitioners, Paediatrics and Child Health. Dr Michael Farquhar gave a presentation and workshop on 'The importance of sleep for health and wellbeing.' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.yphsig.org.uk/events/adolescent-health-conference-2020 |
| Description | The Daylight Academy, 'Enlighten your clock: how your body tells time' - Launch event and expert talk, 21st October 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Daylight Academy (https://daylight.academy/) hosted a launch event and expert talk on Thursday, 21st October 2021. Published in spring 2021 in English, the comic book "Enlighten your clock: How your body tells time" describes with intelligence and humour the effects of light on our body. During the event the special guest Professor Danny Smith shared his views about sleep, light and mental health in teenagers. The webinar was illustrated live by the comic book's author and illustrator, Coline Weinzaepflen, and moderated by the editor, Manuel Spitschan. The book is currently being translated into 21 languages. The event can be viewed at https://youtu.be/10B6EAghrXI |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://daylight.academy/news/comic-enlighten-your-clock-launch-event-and-expert-talk/ |
| Description | World Sleep Day 19th March 2021 - SCRAMS article to bust myths and share tips on teenage sleep. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | To mark World Sleep Day on Friday 19th March 2021, the SCRAMS (Sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools) network produced an article (Teenagers are not lazy!) to bust myths and share tips on teenage sleep. The article was widely posted on social media and listed as an activity on the World Sleep Day website (https://worldsleepday.org/scotland-2021-professor-daniel-smith-university-of-glasgow). It is also available on the following websites https://scrams.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/?page_id=213 https://www.gold.ac.uk/news/world-sleep-day-2021/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://worldsleepday.org/scotland-2021-professor-daniel-smith-university-of-glasgow |