School-based indicated prevention interventions for anxiety in children and adolescents: a commentary on a systematic review

Abstract

Mental health problems such as anxiety are on the increase in children and adolescents. However, rising demand and cuts to mental health services make it difficult for young people to access the support they need. School-based interventions aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety have the potential to provide help to large numbers of children and adolescents. However, the effectiveness of these interventions for different groups is somewhat unclear. This commentary summarises and critically appraises a recent systematic review which investigated the effectiveness of school-based interventions to prevent and reduce anxiety symptoms in indicated groups of children and adolescents.