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Future Directions in Single-Session Youth Mental Health Interventions
Jessica L Schleider1, Mallory L Dobias1, Jenna Y Sung1
1Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University.
Summary
Single-session interventions (SSIs) show promise for improving youth mental health access and effectiveness. This research defines SSIs and proposes an agenda for their future design and implementation.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Mental Health Services Research
- Psychological Interventions
Background:
- The U.S. faces a significant gap in youth mental health service access, with up to 80% of young people not receiving adequate care.
- Existing youth mental health services are often insufficient or untested, highlighting a critical need for accessible solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define single-session interventions (SSIs) for consistent research and practice.
- To summarize the current evidence base for SSIs in child and adolescent mental health.
- To propose recommendations for the future development, evaluation, and implementation of SSIs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on SSIs for youth.
- Development of a working definition for single-session interventions.
- Formulation of recommendations for future research and practice.
Main Results:
- Single-session interventions (SSIs) are defined as structured programs involving one encounter.
- Evidence suggests SSIs can effectively reduce and prevent various forms of youth psychopathology.
- SSIs offer potential for improved accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and completion rates in youth mental health.
Conclusions:
- SSIs represent a promising approach to address the unmet mental health needs of children and adolescents.
- Further research and strategic implementation are crucial to realize the full potential of SSIs.
- This work provides a research agenda to guide the advancement of SSIs in youth mental health care.