Annual Research Review: Expanding mental health services through novel models of intervention delivery

Abstract

Currently, in the United States and worldwide, the vast majority of children and adolescents in need of mental health services receive no treatment. Although there are many barriers, a key barrier is the dominant model of delivering psychosocial interventions. That model includes one-to-one, in-person treatment, with a trained mental health professional, provided in clinical setting (e.g., clinic, private practice office, health-care facility). That model greatly limits the scale and reach of psychosocial interventions. The article discusses many novel models of delivering interventions that permit scaling treatment to encompass children and adolescents who are not likely to receive services. Special attention is accorded the use of social media, socially assistive robots, and social networks that not only convey the ability to scale interventions but also encompass interventions that depart from the usual forms of intervention that currently dominate psychosocial treatment research.

A Pilot Acceptability Study of an ‘AllPlay Pre-Learn’ Day Program to Facilitate Participation in Organised Physical Activity for Children with Disabilities

“…It is recognised that it is not always feasible for psychologists and health professionals support children within the community. Kazdin [1] summarises the idea of 'task-shifting', whereby the 'lay' people administer, for example, psychological techniques within community-based settings [1]. Another idea for expanding the reach of interventions is through 'disruptive innovations' which centers on the idea of bringing programs to the individual, rather than the reverse [1].…”

“…Kazdin [1] summarises the idea of 'task-shifting', whereby the 'lay' people administer, for example, psychological techniques within community-based settings [1]. Another idea for expanding the reach of interventions is through 'disruptive innovations' which centers on the idea of bringing programs to the individual, rather than the reverse [1]. Within a sporting setting, the adoption of these principles could include the training of coaches and volunteers to adapt sessions to suit the child (an area of which is recognised as vital [34]), using psychological principles.…”

“…The current study examines a cost-effective, brief intervention (single day and free of charge) which incorporates the psychological technique of exposure within the context of Australia's most popular national junior football program [35] known as NAB Australian Football League (AFL) Auskick (referred to as Auskick hereafter). This program incorporates some of the principles outlined in Kazdin [1] and was developed around the idea of 'pre-learning'. Through 'pre-learning' children are provided with opportunities to develop an interest and skills in activities before 'learning' the material [36].…”

“…Recent research has highlighted the importance of novel interventions that may overcome the barriers of current models of treatment (e.g., interventions held in clinics or health care settings which may be difficult for all families to reach) [1]. It has been said that research examining programs outside the clinic and in more naturalistic settings have the potential to benefit children with neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as their families [2].…”

“…It has been said that research examining programs outside the clinic and in more naturalistic settings have the potential to benefit children with neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as their families [2]. Examples of such programs include more lifestyle-based programs such as exercise or physical activity (PA) [1,2]. Current research indicates lower levels of physical activity in children with disabilities during adolescence in comparison to their typically developing (TD) peers [3,4].…”