Partnerships with secondary schools enable GUTS researchers to engage directly with educational contexts that play a central role in young people’s development and well-being. These collaborations facilitate the co-creation of research, support participant recruitment, and provide opportunities to explore how research findings can inform educational practice. By maintaining close relationships with schools, GUTS seeks to ensure that research questions and outputs remain relevant to the realities of students, educators, and school communities.

The collaboration is based on mutual exchange. In addition to conducting research and recruiting participants, GUTS researchers contribute to schools through educational activities such as guest lectures in biology classes and presentations during parent information evenings. These activities provide opportunities to share current scientific knowledge on youth development and mental health while fostering dialogue with students, parents, and educators. In turn, schools offer valuable opportunities for researchers to connect with young people and engage them in research.