Qualitative findings from administrators of the EMPATHY (Empowering a multimodal pathway toward healthy youth) programme using the SBIRT framework

ABSTRACT

Comprehensive programmes to help reduce substance misuse/mental illness in youth should combine Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). EMPATHY, an SBIRT programme, was part of a school-based prevention initiative to reduce symptoms of substance misuse in youth in Grades 6–12, along with reducing symptoms of depression, suicidal thinking, and anxiety. To better understand the feasibility of school-based SBIRT, we retrieved perspectives of administrators primarily through interviews. The level of engagement and interest of youth in the programme was high; however, two significant barriers were: (1) the need for parental consent/involvement; and (2) a systemic gap in treatment choices for youth with mild to moderate symptomology. Therapeutic alliance with students was reportedly a significant factor contributing to benefits.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• mental illness
• cognitive behaviour therapy
• risk assessment
• therapeutic alliance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Alberta Health Services: [Grant Number N/A].

Notes on contributors

Deena M. Hamza

Dr. Deena M. Hamza is the Evaluation Lead for Postgraduate Medical Education at the University of Alberta, Canada. She specialises in the development and evaluation of innovative models of care for early identification and intervention of substance misuse, depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Using her training as a mixed methodologist, Dr. Hamza has evaluated screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) when implemented on a large scale across an entire school district, inpatient hospital unit, and within group physician/interdisciplinary practices. Recently, Dr. Hamza received an award from the Science Minister of Canada, the Honorable Kirsty Duncan, for her research and advocacy for improved treatment opportunities for youth mental health.

Andrew J. Greenshaw

Dr. Andrew J. Greenshaw is a Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and currently serves as Associate Chair (Research) for the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta, Canada. Dr. Greenshaw has been the recipient of a number of peer reviewed research awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research/MRC, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, the Alberta Mental Health Research Fund, the Alberta Centre for Child Family and Community Research, and the Norlien Foundation. He is co-Chair of the Alberta Addictions and Mental Health Research Partnership Committee and serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the CIHR Institute for Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addictions. Dr. Greenshaw’s current research interests are in the area of risk and adolescence, and youth and adult addiction with a specific focus on behavioural and functional neuroimaging studies.

Shereen M. Hamza

Dr. Shereen M. Hamza is a Teaching Professor and Senior Researcher at the University of Alberta, Canada. Dr. Hamza designs and delivers both undergraduate and graduate level courses on the physiological changes that occur as a result of using substances, educating students on the complexities of the biopsychosocial model. She is also a senior research and much of her research focuses on discovering ways to preserve kidney function to prolong life in various medical conditions. Dr. Hamza is currently examining the relationship between cannabis use and kidney function and regularly mentors trainees in this area.

Peter H. Silverstone

Dr. Peter H. Silverstone is a Clinical Psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta, Canada, with research interests that revolve around improving the mental health outcomes of community members. He has designed school-based SBIRT research projects in hopes of reducing suicidality and other mental health conditions in youth; developed interventions for children and youth to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder following a natural disaster; worked extensively in developing treatment options for children and youth who have experienced abuse; and worked with law enforcement to improve their ability to identify individuals with mental illness and use verbal de-escalation techniques in place of physical restraint using evidence-based methods.