Training pre-service teachers on depression in childhood and adolescence: a controlled study

Mental health disorders like depression are increasingly common among children and adolescents, placing teachers in a key role to support affected students. This study evaluates the effectiveness of ‘glücklich,’ a brief psychoeducational program aimed at improving pre-service teachers’ depression literacy and self-efficacy. A quasi-experimental pre-post control group design was used, involving 92 pre-service teachers in Master’s programs at two German universities. Depression literacy and self-efficacy were measured via questionnaires and case vignettes. Results revealed significant improvements regarding knowledge and self-efficacy in the intervention compared to the control group, with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 1.55 for knowledge; ηp2 = 0.49 for self-efficacy). While depression knowledge increased, the transfer into practical teaching strategies remained limited. The study highlights the need for integrating mental health training into teacher education and suggests future training should focus more on practical application.