Abstract
Background
Anxiety and depression affect a significant number of children and young People (CYP) and can have a far reaching and long-lasting impact. Cognitive-behavioural (CB) interventions can be effective for treating anxiety and depression in CYP but are difficult to access. Recent government policy in England seeks to train a non-traditional graduate workforce to deliver a range of CB interventions for mild-moderate anxiety and depression to CYP, in community settings.
Method
This practice-based evaluation aimed to estimate the effectiveness of CB interventions delivered by post-graduate trainees undertaking training in a range of CB interventions for mild-moderate anxiety and depression whilst on placement in schools or community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Self and parent-reported routine outcome measures (ROMS) were completed pre and post-intervention, including measures of symptom severity, symptom impact and goal achievement.
Results
Significant improvements were demonstrated across all self and parent-reported measures post-intervention, with mean scores falling firmly in the non-clinical range, a significant reduction in the proportion of CYP in the clinical range on measures, and predominantly medium to large effect sizes.
Conclusion
Results are promising in terms of the capacity to train a graduate workforce to deliver a range of low-intensity CB interventions to CYP experiencing mild-moderate depression or anxiety-based difficulties in either CAMHS or school settings, increasing capacity across the system. The current practice-based evaluation also supports the potential effectiveness of current training models/programmes. Further research is needed in terms of long-term outcomes and to compare outcomes between settings, interventions, and demographic groups.