YOUNGSTERS with depression should take part in positive activities, researchers at the University of York say.
About 510,000 (11.5 per cent) of young people aged between 11 and 16-years-old have a mental disorder within the UK.
Despite high rates of depressive disorders, researchers say few young people seek help.
New evidence suggests that behavioural activation therapy (BA), a talking therapy focused on increasing pleasurable activities could help.
Lucy Tindall, a PHD student in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York reviewed more than 5,000 studies on BA and only 10 studies were deemed relevant.
She said: “The preliminary evidence suggests BA could help young people suffering depression but because there are so few studies in the area more research is needed.”
Ms Tindall said delivering BA through “computerised therapy” could be an effective way of helping young people who are reluctant to see help otherwise.
The next step is to develop a computerised BA program and pilot it with young people experiencing depression.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel