MEETING ADOLESCENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS – IMPLEMENTING A NEW SERVICE MODEL FOR MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE IN PRIMARY CARE

Research problem and specific questions Mental health problems among youths have increased significantly in the last decades, representing a substantial and growing public health concern.

Primary care is the main healthcare provider for prevention and treatment of mental health problems, but limited resources restrict adequate and timely access to mental healthcare among youths.

International research suggests that the service delivery model Primary Care Behavioural Health (PCBH) is an advantageous way to manage mental health problems in primary care.

However, more research is needed regarding effects on multiple levels and how it can be implemented and sustained in routine primary care.

The project aims to generate new knowledge about a real-world large-scale implementation of PCBH in routine primary care in Sweden to address mental health problems among youths aged 18-25-years. Nine research questions will be addressed, relating to the three levels: patient, staff and organization levels.

Data and methods, and plan for project realization The study is a Pragmatic Stepped-Wedge Cluster Trial, allowing the study of multiple effects pertaining to a large, diverse group of youths representative for primary care.

Twenty-four primary care centres (intervention centres) will be recruited and compared to an equal number of control centres which will provide standard care. Registry, survey and interview data will be collected with regard to the three levels and nine research questions.

The project will be conducted by a multi-professional group with research and clinical expertise in implementation research and mental health.

Preliminary analyses of four pilot primary care centres that have introduced PCBH suggest feasibility and promising results of the model.

Relevance The project can make crucial contributions to both research and clinical practice concerning the management of mental health problems among youths.

Mental health problems affect individuals’ study performance, work productivity and quality of life, carrying a tremendous financial burden on society.

In addition, youths with untreated mental health problems are at higher risk for developing psychiatric diseases, underscoring the importance of early detection and treatment of mental health problems.

Developing service models in primary care to manage youths’ mental health problems is of central importance for society as a financier and for employees, patients and their relatives and friends.