A Mental Health Drop-In Centre Offering Brief Transdiagnostic Psychological Assessment and Treatment in a Paediatric Hospital Setting: A One-Year Descriptive Study

Matteo Catanzano, Sophie D Bennett, Marc S Tibber, Anna E Coughtrey, Holan Liang, Isobel Heyman, The Lucy Project Team and Roz Shafran
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Matteo Catanzano: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
Sophie D Bennett: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
Marc S Tibber: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Anna E Coughtrey: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
Holan Liang: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
Isobel Heyman: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
The Lucy Project Team: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
Roz Shafran: UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Aim: This study was part of a broader project to examine the acceptability, feasibility and impact of a transdiagnostic mental health drop-in centre offering brief psychological assessment and treatment for children and young people and/or their families with mental health needs in the context of long-term physical health conditions (LTCs). The aims of this investigation were to characterise: (i) the use of such a centre, (ii) the demographics and symptoms of those presenting to the centre, and (iii) the types of support that are requested and/or indicated. Methods: A mental health “booth” was located in reception of a national paediatric hospital over one year. Characteristics of young people with LTCs and their siblings/parents attending the booth were defined. Emotional/behavioural symptoms were measured using standardised questionnaires including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Participants subsequently received one of four categories of intervention: brief transdiagnostic cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), referral to other services, neurodevelopmental assessment or signposting to resources. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight participants were recruited. The mean age of young people was 9.14 years (standard deviation: 4.28); 61% identified as white and 45% were male. Over half of young people recruited scored in the clinical range with respect to the SDQ. Presenting problems included: anxiety (49%), challenging behaviour (35%), low mood (22%) and other (15%). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of young people with LTC in a paediatric hospital scored in the clinical range for common mental health problems, indicating a potential for psychological interventions.

Keywords: mental health; cognitive-behavioral therapy; chronic illness; evidence-based practice; health care services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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