Anxiety and Depression Among Youth

Prevalence and Treatment Gaps

Anxiety and depression are prevalent conditions affecting youth, significantly impacting their daily functioning. Unfortunately, these conditions often remain undertreated, with only an estimated 20% of young individuals suffering from anxiety and 40% from depression receiving necessary mental health services.

Research Initiative by V. Robin Weersing

V. Robin Weersing and her research team aimed to enhance both access to and quality of care for this vulnerable demographic. They investigated the effectiveness of delivering behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression in pediatric primary care settings compared to the traditional approach of referring children to outpatient mental health services.

Study Overview and Methodology

Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study involved 185 children aged 8 to 17, who were randomly divided into two groups. The first group, consisting of 95 children, received behavioral therapy, while 90 children were referred for additional mental health services. The behavioral therapy included 8 to 12 weekly sessions lasting 45 minutes each, over a 16-week period. Techniques such as behavioral strategies, relaxation methods, and problem-solving skills were utilized to help manage stress.

Children in the referral group were contacted via telephone every two weeks throughout the study to monitor their progress.

Key Findings

The results indicated significant differences between the two groups. Children who participated in behavioral therapy exhibited a clinical improvement rate of 56.8%, compared to only 28.2% in the referral group. Moreover, those receiving therapy reported a greater reduction in symptoms and improved overall functioning.

A particularly noteworthy finding was the pronounced effectiveness of behavioral therapy among Hispanic children. This group demonstrated a success rate of 76.5% with behavioral therapy, contrasting sharply with a mere 7.1% success rate when referred for external care.

Implications of the Study

This research suggests that the prevalent practice of referring children to external mental health services may be considerably less effective than providing behavioral therapy in collaboration with the child’s pediatrician. This is especially true for Hispanic youth, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to mental health care within diverse populations.

Author Information

Written By: Sean Manning, BA, DC, MWC