Background: This exploratory study used mixed methods to investigate young people's preferences in the delivery of mental health education and to investigate possible age and gender differences.
Method: Information was gathered about the delivery of mental health education in three secondary schools. Nine pupil focus groups were carried out to identify key themes which were then further developed and administered through questionnaires to a larger sample of 773 pupils.
Results: Gender and age differences were found in young people's preferences about who should deliver mental health education, and what, when, where and how this should be delivered.
Conclusion: Mental health education should reflect the needs of young people. Age and gender preferences should be considered when designing these programmes.