Preventing depression and promoting resilience: feasibility study of a school-based cognitive-behavioural intervention

Abstract

Background: The limited reach and effectiveness of psychological treatments for adolescent depression have fuelled interest in alternative approaches designed to promote resilience. Schools offer a convenient location for the widespread delivery of depression prevention programmes, although little research has evaluated the feasibility of delivering interventions in this setting.

Aims: To investigate the feasibility of delivering and evaluating a universal school-based depression prevention programme for children aged 12-16 years.

Method: A three-arm pilot study was conducted in one UK secondary school (n = 834).

Results: Interventions had good reach (96%), with high rates of consent (89%) and reasonable retention (78%). The majority of intervention sessions were delivered as intended, with 85% of students attending seven or more sessions. The programme was acceptable to students and teachers, with the specific content of the active intervention being rated differently from the control programmes.

Conclusions: Delivering and undertaking methodologically robust evaluations of universal school-based depression programmes is feasible.