Long-term outcome of an early intervention programme for anxiety and depressive disorders

INTERVENTION: The intervention was 10 weekly 1‐hour session of cognitive behavioural treatment for anxiety problems. The manualised treatment programme (FRIENDS) was used which included the following strategies: participants learning awareness of anxiety symptoms; learning to relax, learning to challenge unhelpful thoughts, using graded exposure to overcome avoidance and learning problem solving. CONDITION: Anxiety disorders and major depression in children and adolescents PRIMARY OUTCOME: Anxiety disorders and major depression diagnoses were assessed using structured diagnostic interviews. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by self‐report questionnaire. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Health care use for a mental health problem and stressful life events over the follow‐up. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Students in grade 7 of high school were identified by self or teacher report as experiencing anxiety symptoms.