Supporting young people who struggle with worry and overthinking
Project overview
Many young people experience repetitive negative thoughts (RNT), such as worry, overthinking and rumination. These RNTs can increase their likelihood of anxiety and depression.
We are working with researchers from the University of Exeter, Mental Health Support Team (MHST) providers (Compass & Young Somerset), app developers BitJam and young people with lived experience. Together we will create a new style of support for young people in secondary schools.
This support involves adapting specialised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for RNT into a digital format that teaches young people the CBT skills to help reduce and manage their RNTs, with support from education mental health practitioners within group meetings.
Some schools in the UK currently have MHSTs, which are teams of practitioners based in schools to offer schools and students help with mental health and wellbeing. We want the support we design to be something MSHTs can use to help young people.
We’re currently in the Foundation Phase of the project which lasts one year. During this time, we are shaping and refining the intervention with young people. If successful after the Foundation Phase, the project will continue for a five-year Impact Phase to roll out and evaluate the support in secondary schools more widely.
Project details
Anxiety and depression are some of the most common mental health issues young people experience. Research shows that repetitive negative thinking (such as worry, rumination, overthinking) is one of the key elements that contribute to anxiety and depression.
By adapting CBT-based support for use within MSHTs, we hope to make effective and engaging support available for young people so they can access support earlier and gain skills and support to prevent their difficulties becoming more severe.
We have set up a Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) of 12 young people aged 14-20 with lived experience of worry, overthinking or anxiety and/or accessing support for this. We will meet monthly throughout the Foundation Phase.
The advisory group will:
- Shape the design, format and language of the digital app and supporting groups
- Make sure the support is engaging, accessible and interesting for young people
- Help identify barriers that may stop young people accessing and using the support
- Advise us on how the support should be rolled out in schools
Please get in touch with [email protected] for more information on this project.
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