Creating Safety Nets

The number of young people dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety in the UK has increased by a third in three years (2017-2020). More referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) mean longer wait times to get help. The symptoms suffered by many young people worsen while they wait on these lists. Community-based social prescribing can be an early intervention that promotes the self-management people will need as they wait.

Social prescribing involves healthcare professionals referring people to community and voluntary agency groups. The intervention may include activity groups such as drama, music, art, games and sport, which can provide mental health benefits through meeting new people and trying new things.

Social prescribing schemes for adults can reduce anxiety and depression, with a 28% reduction in the need for GP services following referral (1) There is less data on social prescribing for young people and NHS England recommends developing a more robust evidence base.

Dr Ryan Dias, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, developed Safety Nets in 2019 as a social prescribing intervention for young people on mental health service waiting lists. It uses physical activity and psychoeducation to tackle anxiety, depression or low mood. Yorkshire Sport Foundation worked with Dr. Dias, and stakeholders to expand the intervention across Yorkshire. A service evaluation of Safety Nets found high levels of engagement and encouraging evidence of positive effects on mental wellbeing.

Yorkshire Sport Foundation then commissioned the Child Oriented Mental Health Innovation Collaborative (COMIC), a part of Leeds and York Partnership Foundation NHS Trust (LYPFT), as research partner to complete the feasibility study that is the focus of this report.