Social prescriptions for advancing resilience in kids (SPARK): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Child mental health needs are rising in Canada, with over half a million young people requiring access to mental health care. Social determinants, including poverty and limited social support, contribute significantly to these difficulties. Social prescribing (SP), a non-medical intervention connecting individuals to community resources, is gaining traction in child and youth wellbeing research, though empirical evidence remains limited.

Objectives: The overarching goal of the Social Prescriptions for Advancing Resilience in Kids (SPARK) study is to establish the preliminary feasibility of implementing social prescribing for children and youth on an outpatient MH waitlist. The study objectives are to determine feasibility and evaluate effectiveness.

Methods: This study will recruit 170 children and youth between the ages of 11 and 17 on the waitlist for outpatient mental health support at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or educational control group. Youth in the intervention group will receive a social prescription connecting them to community-based activities of their choice, while those in the control group will receive an educational booklet on social connections. Caregivers will also be invited to take part in the study. Children, youth, and their caregivers in the control group will complete online questionnaires at baseline and again 12 weeks later, while those in the intervention group will complete them at baseline and 12 weeks after beginning the social prescribing activities. The questionnaires will address demographic information, youths' symptoms of anxiety and depression, overall wellbeing, emotional and behavioural difficulties, social connectedness, and protective factors. Additionally, children and youth, caregivers, and staff (i.e., clinicians, medical practitioners) will participate in qualitative interviews about their experiences with SP.

Discussion: The findings from this study will add important knowledge about the impact of social prescribing as an approach to support the wellbeing of children and youth experiencing mental health challenges. In addition, this study will offer valuable insights into the barriers encountered and the strategies used to facilitate effective implementation of child and youth social prescribing.

Trial registration: The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on June 6, 2025 (NCT07022561).