Reducing mental health distress and preventing depression in young people in the community: A multimethod observational study with a real-world and prospective 12-month controlled approach: mental health distress in community youths

Community-based youth mental health (YMH) platforms are challenging to evaluate. Using a multi-method approach, we examined the efficacy of an integrated YMH program in Hong Kong. The real-world outcomes of 1047 participants were compared with a propensity score (PS) matched control group randomly selected from the community (study 1). In a separate prospective 12-month study, a sample of up to 133 matched pairs of YMH and controls were compared for more detailed symptomatic and functional outcomes (study 2). Study 1 revealed that the YMH program was associated with a significant reduction in distress. A higher proportion of YMH participants improved, and fewer deteriorated compared with controls. The YMH program also translated into a net reduction of 1.28 % in the risk of common disorders. Study 2 revealed that the YMH program showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, distress, and functioning after 12 months. The two complementary studies, using PS-matched controlled comparisons, enabled the sample representativeness and the comprehensive examination of the longitudinal impact. This YMH program reduces current distress, symptoms, and functional impairment, and prevents the emergence of probable mental disorder. Findings have significant implications for developing and evaluating future YMH services.