Group Therapy Sessions Can Prevent Mental Health Problems in Teens

Three hours of group therapy sessions can save teens from developing mental health problems, a latest study states.

U.K. researchers examined 509 children from 19 schools in London using an established personality scale. The scale measures specific personality traits that are related to behavioral issues.

The experts looked into different mental problems in the adolescents like impulsiveness, hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity and sensation seeking. They were given two 90-minute group sessions. These participants were asked to have discussions on various topics related to their thoughts, emotions and behavior.

The teens were also asked to fill out a questionnaire every six months. Based on this, the researchers decided the intensity of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, conduct problems and suicidal thoughts in each teen.

The study results showed that that the rate of mental health issues among teens reduced significantly by 25 percent to 33 percent. Furthermore, there was a reduction in severe depression, anxiety and conduct problem symptoms.

The findings also stated that participants suffering from high impulsiveness had 36 percent reduced odds of reporting severe conduct problems. Teens with high anxiety sensitivity reported 33 percent reduced odds of severe anxiety. About 23 percent decline was seen in the teens with depressive symptoms.

"The interventions were run by trained educational professionals, suggesting that this brief intervention can be both effective and sustainable when run within the school system," lead researcher Dr Patricia Conrod of the University of Montreal said in a news release. "We are now leading similar study is 32 high schools in Montreal to further test the efficacy of this kind of program."