A recent study published in The Lancet has shed light on the effectiveness of stress workshops in schools for adolescents aged 16 to 18 in the United Kingdom. The Brief Educational Workshops in Secondary Schools Trial (BESST) aimed to address the rising rates of anxiety and depression in this age group by implementing a stress workshop program.
The study revealed that over 25% of individuals between 17 and 19 years old in the UK were estimated to have a mental health disorder in 2022, a significant increase from the previous year. Despite the high prevalence of mental health issues in adolescents, many do not receive specialist care through traditional channels.
The DISCOVER workshop program, which utilized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, proved to be a cost-effective and clinically beneficial intervention for adolescents struggling with stress and anxiety. The workshops focused on teaching participants coping mechanisms for mood fluctuations, anxiety, and stress, with follow-up sessions to monitor progress and reinforce skills.
Results showed a reduction in depression symptoms and improvements in wellbeing, anxiety, and resilience among participants in the DISCOVER group. The intervention was found to be more effective than standard treatments, with a high level of engagement and satisfaction reported by students.
The study highlighted the importance of early intervention in addressing mental health issues in adolescents and the potential of school-based programs like DISCOVER to provide accessible and effective support. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the long-term impact of such interventions on mental health outcomes in young people.
