‘Safety Nets’: a community based social prescribing intervention involving combined physical activity and psychoeducation for young people on mental health service waiting lists: a pilot service evaluation

Objective

Young people can face long waiting lists when accessing UK Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with limited support whilst waiting. ‘Safety Nets' was developed as a social prescribing intervention that includes physical activity and psychoeducation for young people with anxiety, depression and low mood on CAMHS waiting lists. This mixed methods service evaluation aims to show the acceptability and impact of ‘Safety Nets’ on the mental health and wellbeing of these young people.

Method

This study conducted a mixed-methods service evaluation of ‘Safety Nets’. 24 young people on CAMHS waiting lists for support for anxiety, depression and low mood were recruited to an 8-week group intervention, ‘Safety Nets'; delivered in five groups across four sites. Participants completed a Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) at the first and final session and completed a qualitative exit interview.

Results

Results showed good acceptability and engagement from all stakeholders and young people gave high satisfaction ratings. Paired WEMWBS scores in 24 young people showed an improvement of 11.6 with a 95% confidence interval 7.5–15.6.

Discussion

This service evaluation showed acceptability and positive impacts of ‘Safety Nets’. A large-scale trial is warranted to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of social prescribing for children and young people on CAMHS waiting lists.