Search

There is evidence in the literature that youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) experience mental health issues to a greater extent compared to youth without IDD. In addition, transition from pediatric to adult services may be a period of increased anxiety and mental health problems for these youth. This study used a retrospective cohort design using population level administrative health data to compare mental health diagnoses between youth with IDD and youth without IDD; particularly examining the period when youth transition from pediatric health services to adult health services. In addition, this study compared the mental health of youth with various types of IDD (Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and other rarer diagnoses). Results showed that at the population level youth with IDD have greater odds of anxiety/depression or psychotic illness than youth without IDD. Adjusted odds of anxiety/depression or psychotic illness also varied with age, income level, sex, and type of IDD. Youth with fetal alcohol syndrome had the greatest odds of both anxiety/depression and a psychotic illness. Odds of anxiety/depression increased from age 15–19 years old. Odds of a psychotic illness increased from age 15 to age 24 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many training initiatives are underway to increase implementation of evidence-based practice (EBPs) in mental healthcare. However, little is known about what types of trainings and supports yield the highest reach and engagement. Supported by a tax-funded, countywide initiative to improve access to quality care for youths, the current mixed methods study evaluates mental health (MH) provider reach, or registering for the training initiative, and engagement, or participation in training activities, for several EBP training and implementation supports. MH providers were offered free 1) formal EBP workshops, 2) a biweekly learning community, 3) individual case consultation, and 4) confidential online clinical feedback system. To register, interested providers (N = 698) completed a web-based assessment measuring clinical practice information, organizational implementation climate, and EBP knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Thirteen providers, selected via purposeful sampling stratified by level of participation, completed semi-structured qualitative interviews. While the training initiative achieved high reach (66% of county agencies had a provider register), far fewer providers engaged substantially in training. Quantitative results indicated that providers whose professional discipline was not psychology, had higher baseline EBP knowledge, more extensive use of common evidence-based strategies, and less extensive use of other therapy strategies, engaged in more training. Rapid qualitative analysis of interviews expanded upon these findings and illuminated provider, organizational, system, practical, and training activity-specific barriers and facilitators to engagement. Findings suggest the importance of identifying strategies for improving provider engagement in training activities beyond workshops. Implications for future research and training initiatives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth-specific digital mental health interventions (DMHI) represent an emerging field of study, and aim to increase access, improve socioemotional outcomes, and, where required, support triage to targeted interventions. However, prior reviews have reported inconsistent findings on the clinical effectiveness of such interventions in young adults (12–25 years). Further, shortfalls remain for the impact of guided interventions based on the mode of delivery and the type of human support personnel (e.g., professional or peer) guiding the intervention. In response, this systematic review, co-designed with Australia's leading mental health organization, aims to assess the effectiveness of guided digital programs in improving youth socioemotional outcomes. Included studies involve young people experiencing mental ill-health, receiving brief (i.e., 1–12 sessions), digitally delivered (at least partially) psychological interventions that were guided or partially guided, tested in a type of experimental study, with a socioemotional outcome. Specific socioemotional outcomes examined were depression, anxiety, stress, wellbeing, mindfulness, and quality of life. A systematic search of the contemporary published and grey literature identified 22,482 records with 32 relevant records published between 2018 and 2023. A narrative synthesis guided integration of findings. Results demonstrated strong evidence for the effectiveness of guided interventions on socioemotional outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress) yet these effects were short-lived. When factoring in the use of different control groups (i.e., active vs. inactive), inconsistent effects were observed for the socioemotional outcomes of depression, anxiety, and stress. The mode of delivery (i.e., asynchronous, synchronous, combined) and the type of human support personnel did not appear to impact socioemotional outcomes. Results indicate efficacious brief digital interventions for depression and anxiety include refresher/follow-up content, goal setting content, and relapse prevention content. In contrast, poor efficacy is associated with interventions that include homework tasks, self-monitoring, and log-keeping content. PROSPERO, ID CRD42023405812. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many young people demonstrate resilience and strength, research and clinical evidence highlight an upward trend in mental health concerns among those aged 12 to 25 years. Youth-specific digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) aim to address this trend by providing timely access to mental health support for young people (12–25 years). However, there is a considerable gap in understanding young people user experiences with digital interventions. This review, co-designed with Australia's leading mental health organization Beyond Blue, utilizes a systematic methodology to synthesize evidence on user experience in youth-oriented digital mental health interventions that are fully or partially guided. Five relevant online databases were searched for articles published from 2018 to 2023, yielding 22,482 articles for screening and 22 studies were included in the present analysis. User experience outcomes relating to satisfaction and engagement were assessed for each included intervention, with experience indicators relating to usefulness, usability, value, credibility, and desirability being examined. Elements associated with positive/negative outcomes were extracted. Elements shown to positively influence user experience included peer engagement, modern app-based delivery, asynchronous support, and personalized content. In contrast, users disliked static content, homework/log-keeping, the requirement for multiple devices, and social media integration. Asynchronous interventions showed high satisfaction but faced engagement issues, with combined asynchronous/synchronous interventions reporting better completion rates. DMHIs offer a promising platform for youth mental health support and has the potential to dramatically increase the reach of interventions through the adoption of technological and user experience best practices. While young people respond positively to many aspects of intervention modernization, such as interactive, app-based design, other concepts, such as social media integration, they need to be adopted by the field more cautiously to ensure trust and engagement. Trial Registration CRD42023405812 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk factors for psychological distress among help-seeking youth are poorly understood. Addressing this gap is important for informing mental health service provision. This study aimed to identify risk factors among youth attending Jigsaw, a youth mental health service in Ireland. Routine data were collected from N = 9,673 youth who engaged with Jigsaw (Mean age = 16.9 years, SD = 3.14), including presenting issues, levels of psychological distress, age, and gender. Confirmatory Factor Analysis identified thirteen factors of clustering issues. Several factors, including Self-criticism and Negative Thoughts, were strongly associated with items clustering as psychological distress, however these factors were poorly predictive of distress as measured by the CORE (YP-CORE: R2 = 14.7%, CORE-10: R2 = 6.9%). The findings provide insight into associations between young people's identified presenting issues and self-identified distress. Implications include applying appropriate therapeutic modalities to focus on risk factors and informing routine outcome measurement in integrated youth mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the corona pandemic, youths were confronted with substantial challenges and in urgent need of information on how to prevent mental health problems. This experimental pre-post-follow-up study examined the efficacy and reception of an innovative website (www.corona-und-du.info) containing evidence-based information for youths on how to overcome psychological distress during the pandemic. 34 youths aged 11–18 years were presented domains of the website in the laboratory. Standardized questionnaires were applied to assess changes in knowledge, the reception of the website, and changes in behavioral intention to seek psychological help. For all content domains, we found a significant knowledge gain with large effect sizes from pre to post, and from pre to follow-up. The reception of the website was very positive, and participants indicated increased intention to seek psychological support when needed. The results constitute an important basis for future attempts to promote mental health information in youths in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]