Online CAMHS services and young people's mental health needs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the use of remote and digital/online services, and the perceived effectiveness of this mode of delivery in addressing young people’s mental health needs
IRAS ID
297792
Contact name
Rhiannon Corcoran
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Sponsor approval UoL001629, UoL001629
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
As a consequence of the global pandemic, there has been a rapid change in the delivery of mental health services. In response to UK Government advice, CAMHS services are currently operating remotely to ensure the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and families continues to be met. Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCG) also increased their work with Kooth (national online service) that provides mental health support for children and young people.
Due to this rapid change in service delivery, it is important to explore the impact of these changes on children, young people, and families. With a focus on the Liverpool CAMHS online offer, we will explore service users’, parents/carers’ and providers’ experiences of the online services and their views on the effectiveness of remote delivery in addressing mental health needs during COVID-19. The effectiveness of this approach may inadvertently create inequities for young people who may not have access to the necessary technology.The study will use a multi-method approach, which will include:
- Anonymised routinely collected data from CAMHS and Kooth.
- Disseminating a short online survey for young people aged 16 to 25 years and for parents.
- Conducting online group discussions with families (children aged 10-13 and their parents/carers).
- Conducting online group discussions with young people aged 13 to 25 years.
- Conducting online group discussions with parents/carers groups.
- Conducting online group discussion with CAMHS service providers.
- Conducting one-to-one interviews with young people and parents/carers.The findings of this study will contribute to understanding the implications of remote delivery and provide recommendations for future online provision in order to enhance the quality of support delivered via online means and to provide choice of interventions.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0160
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion