Aim: Young adults aged 18-25 whose parents have a mental illness or substance use problem can be vulnerable to multiple difficulties in adulthood. There are, however, few available interventions designed for this group. This study evaluated a 6 week online intervention (mi. spot; mental illness: supported, preventative, online, targeted) specifically designed for this population. The intervention aims to improve mental health and wellbeing.Methods: Forty-one young people, recruited from the community, participated in a two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial where participants were randomized to mi. spot (n = 22) or a wait list control group (n = 19). They were assessed at baseline, immediately post intervention and at six weeks post intervention with measures covering depression, anxiety and stress, wellbeing, coping, general self-efficacy, help seeking and social connectedness.Results: Intervention participants reported significantly improved psychological wellbeing, coping, general self-efficacy, and a reduction in anxiety. Participants in the control group reported significant improvements in emotional wellbeing and help seeking and a reduction in self-blame. Conclusion:This pilot controlled trial supported previous findings and shows preliminary evidence that mi.spot is effective for young adults who grew up with parents who have a mental illness or substance use problem. A large-scale, randomized controlled trial with a diverse group of young people is needed.

Governments have been urged to adopt real-time prescription monitoring in order to manage and reduce risks associated with the long-term use of sleep and anti-anxiety medications. Given this imperative, accessible psychological interventions for benzodiazepine (BZD) dependency and withdrawal are essential. The aim of this study was to understand how counsellors support clients assessed as suitable for communitybased drug withdrawal services to reduce their BZD use. Six BZD counsellors and two service coordinators were interviewed. Counsellors collaborated with their clients and prescribing doctors to develop individualised taper schedules that were in line with recommended clinical guidelines. Psychoeducation underscored a range of evidence-based interventions, and a trauma-informed approach was considered essential in working with clients to reduce their use of BZDs. Continuity in care was affected by the degree of prescribing doctor support for the taper. Counsellors reported that workforce sustainability was enhanced by quality clinical supervision and professional development opportunities. The role of counsellors in providing accessible, community-based interventions for clients to reduce their use of BZDs was supported. Psychosocial support, combined with a medically supervised taper, has a strong evidence base and implications for client-centred interventions are discussed.