The new study follows on from research earlier this year by members of the same team, published in Nature Health, which found that adults referred for social prescribing (including young people) gained “sizable” improvements in wellbeing in the months after initial referral.
The study, published in the journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, involved over 550 young people aged 11 to 18 who had been referred to children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in England, comparing those who received bespoke social prescribing referrals while waiting for treatment with those who did not.
Young people who received social prescribing reported improvements in behaviour (including reductions in conduct difficulties), enhanced relationships with others, and increased resilience, including greater confidence in solving problems and higher self-esteem.
With over 350,000 children and young people were waiting for specialist mental health care in England, with average wait times of just under eight months (as of late 2024), social prescribing could provide important support during this waiting period.
Lead author Dr Daniel Hayes (UCL Behavioural Science & Heath) said: "Previous research from our team has shown that many young people and families find waiting for mental health services difficult and often feel they lack support during that period. Our new study suggests that social prescribing may provide a valuable source of support while young people are waiting, helping them strengthen relationships, build resilience and improve day-to-day functioning."
Young people in the study were offered personalised support from a link worker, who spent time getting to know them and understanding their circumstances and what mattered to them. Link workers then connected young people to activities and support in their local community, including art classes, nature-based activities and practical support for issues related to education, training or housing. Link workers also helped young people plan days out with friends.
One participant reported: “I think one of the things that has changed is if my mum or someone at school like a teacher asked me about how I’m feeling, I think I’m a lot more open to discussing it. I wasn’t as much before [social prescribing].” Another participant said their link worker “really helped me get back into social groups and social settings, so I was more comfortable around people”. A third young person said of social prescribing: “It’s definitely really helpful. I think it could really help other people as well because it’s really changed my life.”
"Social prescribing can support young people with many issues that affect their mental health, including loneliness, isolation, relationships, education, employment and complex social needs. Through personalised support from a link worker, young people are more likely to feel listened to and able to participate in social activities.
"This isn't a quick fix for severe mental health problems, but it's encouraging that the study showed improvements in resilience, self-esteem, relationships and confidence solving problems.
"Social prescribing could also play a valuable role for young people earlier on, when mental health needs first emerge."
Senior author, Professor Daisy Fancourt, noted that the study did not find evidence of changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress over the six-month follow-up period, although this is partly expected. “Social prescribing should not be seen as a substitute for evidence-based psychological treatments. Instead, the findings suggest its value for young people on waiting lists for mental health services is in supporting day-to-day functioning and strengthening protective factors during this high-risk waiting period. Instead of merely ‘waiting’, young people and their families can engage in activities that may help them be more ‘treatment ready’ when they reach the end of the waiting list.”
“I have seen firsthand how this approach gives young people the opportunity to take ownership of their own journey, while recognising and celebrating the achievements they make along the way. It also extends beyond the individual, often having a positive impact on the wider family unit by reducing pressures, strengthening relationships, and creating a more supportive home environment.”
The latest Wellbeing While Waiting study was carried out in partnership with 11 NHS child and adolescent mental health trusts in England. The work was funded by the Prudence Trust, with additional support from Wellcome and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
The adult social prescribing study was funded by the ESRC and the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) and utilised anonymised patient data from Access Elemental, a social prescribing software provider.
