MRC SLEEP, CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS AND MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS PROJECT

The Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Mental Health in Schools (SCRAMS) project at University of Glasgow led by Professor Daniel Smith has been awarded a £100k MRC/AHRC/ESRC Engagement Award.

These Engagement Awards are for up to 12 months aimed at building and strengthening a cross-disciplinary community in the research area of Adolescence, Mental Health and the Developing Mind.

Project summary

Adolescence is a critical developmental period during which getting enough high-quality sleep becomes a major challenge. Poor sleep represents an important (but under-researched) risk factor for mental ill-health in young people. The sleep, circadian rhythms and mental health in schools (SCRAMS) consortium will investigate the complex relationships between sleep, light exposure and mental wellbeing in school-aged children, with a view to developing new interventions for the future.

Objectives

  • To deliver a comprehensive programme of public engagement focused on sleep and mental health in schools, in collaboration with the charity Sleep Scotland.
  • To deliver a series of feasibility studies that will include: a) testing a novel wearable sensor for light in adolescents; b) collecting objective activity/sleep data and light exposure data during the winter and summer months and at different latitudes; c) feasibility work on sleep and cognitive functioning in adolescent pupils; and d) assessing facilitators and barriers to the collection of biological samples in schoolchildren.
  • To organise three SCRAMS collaboration meetings over the course of the year, including key stakeholders and project partners, to grow the consortium and coordinate our research and public engagement activities.