New trial to help tackle teenage depression
As a result of recent studies, teenage depression is going to be tackled by the introduction of group therapy sessions in schools, reports the Guardian.
As part of a £1milion government funded trial, 7,000 teenagers aged between 13 and 16 will take part in order to identify the best methods for tackling mental health issues amongst young people.
They will have a series of sessions lasting 18 weeks, and will be closely monitored for any signs of depression.
The trial is based on a similar scheme that took place in Australia ten years ago, and will run in schools in Bath, Bristol, Nottingham and Swindon.
Professor Paul Stallard, who is leading the study, said: “People get depressed, they get overwhelmed, then they feel helpless and think they can’t do anything. Hopefully this will help identify the best way to help them with ways to think about problems.
“We are hoping at the end of this trial to be much clearer about the sort of things we can do within mainstream schools to make children happier, to improve their mood and hopefully prevent some of those children from becoming depressed. There is nothing like this in this country at the moment.”
Read more about the trial…