A transdiagnostic psychosocial prevention-intervention service for young people in the Republic of Georgia: early results of the effectiveness study

ABSTRACT

Background:

The decade between the ages of 14 and 25 is a particularly vulnerable period for the development of mental health problems, especially of common mental disorders. Mental health and psychosocial prevention and support services for young people in the Republic of Georgia have been extremely limited, leaving a wide treatment and care gap. Club Synergy was designed as an innovative, pragmatic solution that is responsive to the needs of young people and incorporates all necessary levels of care required (prevention, early identification & intervention, and treatment) into a single, trauma-informed service that uses a transdiagnostic approach. This paper presents preliminary findings from the pilot phase of establishing and running the service.

Aim

To examine the characteristics of young people presenting to Club Synergy and the effectiveness of contact with the service.

Methods:

Quantitative evaluation of a consecutive series of young people seen by Club Synergy between November 2019 and July 2020. Demographic information was analysed using descriptive statistics. Pre–post outcomes for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:

Hundred and seventy-four young people were included. The majority (68.9%) self-referred, with referral from The Ministry of Justice due to conflict with law (23%) accounting for most of the other young people seen. Emotional disturbance (73.6%), anxiety (60.3%), problems in interpersonal relationships (57.5%) and low mood (49.4%) were the commonest presenting symptoms. Seventy-three per cent reported 4 or more adverse childhood experiences. After engaging in transdiagnostic modules, median baseline scores for depression and anxiety reduced by 40% and 45%, respectively, and self-rated health improved by 14%.

Conclusions:

Preliminary analysis indicates that Club Synergy’s trauma-informed model of care, based on a transdiagnostic approach, has the potential to provide an effective service to young people in Georgia at risk of developing and with mental health problems.

HIGHLIGHTS

• This pragmatic study of a newly established mental health service for young people in Georgia suggests that a trauma-informed approach, using transdiagnostic modules, has the potential to effectively prevent and treat common mental health presentations.

1. Introduction

The decade between the ages of 14 and 25 is a particularly vulnerable period for the development of mental health (MH) problems. Most mental disorders have their origins in the teenage years¹ and many have precursors in childhood. Half of all MH conditions start by 14 years of age, but most cases are undetected and untreated,² and three-quarters of individuals with a mental disorder exhibit symptoms by the age of 24,³ The years 16–18 is a particularly critical period of vulnerability to mental illness, as well as a period of major physiological, emotional and social change for young people (YP).⁴ A systematic review of studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reported that experiencing MH problems during childhood or adolescence was linked to pre-mature death and serious dysfunction in adult life⁵; suicide is the second commonest cause of mortality in the 15–29 age group.⁶

Gustavson et al also concluded that common mental disorders are highly prevalent among young adults in their twenties, and somewhat less prevalent in their thirties/forties (see note 9). The 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder among people in their twenties was 19.8% (men) and 32.4% (women), with anxiety disorders the most prevalent followed by major depressive disorder in women and substance use disorder in men.⁷ A recent systematic review and meta-analyses found the global prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) in adolescents (10–19 years old) to be 25.0% using a GHQ-12 cut-off of 4 and 31.0% using a GHQ-12 cut-off of 3.⁸

People of all ages with CMDs commonly do not receive mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and the ‘treatment gap’ is especially wide in LMICs with estimates of only one in four receiving care,⁹ with particular concerns about children and young people.¹⁰ Morris et al. (2011) found that the median one-year treated prevalence for children and adolescents in LMICs was 159 per 100,000 population compared to 664 per 100,000 for adults. Children and adolescents made up 12% of the MH outpatient facility population and less than 6% in all other types of MH facility. Less than 1% of beds in inpatient facilities were reserved for children and adolescents. Training provided for MH professionals on child and adolescent mental health was minimal, with less than 1% receiving refresher training (Moris et al., 2011).

1.1. Staging approach model

In LMICs, such as the Republic of Georgia, where general community-based services are scarce and primary care is ‘estranged’ from the MH field,¹¹ pragmatic solutions that facilitate access to a wide age range of people with a wide range of difficulties are required. When considering possible approaches to addressing the large burden of mental ill-health in young people, a staging approach model¹² seems the most practical and applicable framework. The model calls for preventive interventions during non-specific mental distress and early identification and early interventions during subsyndromal and subthreshold conditions. When specific syndromes are manifested, the model suggests their management at primary healthcare, community and multisectoral levels; as for persistent and recurring syndromes and disorders, the response should be evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation interventions using collaborative approaches.

1.2. Trauma-informed care

Trauma-informed care represents the ‘new generation’ of transformed MH and allied services and programmes, that are informed about, and sensitive to, the potential for trauma-related issues to be present in clients, regardless of whether the issues are directly or obviously related to the presenting complaint or condition.¹³ Setbacks that a service could experience due to a lack of trauma-awareness include (1) failure to understand fully the presenting issues and their context; (2) failure to treat or have more appropriate (trauma-specific) referrals; (3) retraumatisation of clients with standard procedures or unintentional triggering events, which may slow progress, reduce openness to treatment or derail therapy altogether.¹⁴ A trauma-informed approach to MH care,¹⁵ perceives trauma not simply as a severe experience from the past, but as a formative one that may be causal to the client’s current condition.

Strong evidence supports significant and enduring associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative outcomes later in life.¹⁶ A trauma history is very common among people in contact with MH services. Fifty per cent of psychiatric outpatient case-notes documented a history of major trauma in one study,¹⁷ and 94% of poor inner-city youth using an urban outpatient MH clinic had experienced at least one lifetime trauma (most commonly physical attack, rape, or being threatened with a weapon). Forty-two per cent met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the last year.¹⁸

1.3. The transdiagnostic approach

The transdiagnostic (TD) approach to the prevention and management of MH problems is an emerging phenomenon. The TD approach is based on evidence that many different mental disorders share common vulnerabilities and symptoms,¹⁹ TD interventions aim to reduce and manage these common factors as opposed to treating specific disorders. A systematic review demonstrated that TD interventions were effective for anxiety and depression in adults²⁰ and other studies have provided evidence of efficacy with traumatised people²¹ and with people with addiction problems.²² Research has also shown that TD interventions can be effective for prevention of depression and anxiety.²³ Implementation of TD interventions to youth populations is in its initial stages, though there is already evidence that TD therapies can be adapted²⁴ and work for children and adolescents with chronic pain comorbid with depression and anxiety.²⁵ A recently published randomised clinical trial²⁶ found a TD CBT programme to be superior to management as usual in youths with emotional and behavioural problems below the threshold for referral to MH care and TD approaches have been recommended for further evaluation with college-age students.²⁷

1.4. The Georgian context

Georgia is struggling to reform its MH system.²⁸ The underdevelopment of community care and lack of alternatives to hospital treatment leads to unnecessary psychiatric admissions,²⁹ though there are only 10 in-patient beds for people up to 18 years old. In 2018, the number of officially registered persons with mental disorders was 76,508, of whom only 4% (3,217) were under 15³⁰; young people represent a relatively larger proportion –14%.³¹ The main problems here are neurodevelopmental disorders (36,9%), while children and young people with behavioural and emotional problems represent 35,7%. ‘Registered patient’ figures are likely to grossly underestimate the true levels of MH disorder and needs in Georgia. Young people with behavioural and emotional problems do not receive adequate care at any level.

It is well recognised that substance misuse is widespread among young persons (YPs) in Georgia, causing severe mental and somatic consequences.³² Particularly high rates are also to be expected amongst the 6% of the Georgian population and their families who were internally displaced due to military conflicts in the 90s and 2008.³³ Other groups identified as having significant MH needs in Georgia are the YP offending population (such as anger and impulse management, interpersonal communication, and social competences)³⁴ and YP under state care. The Government managed to close 32 large children institutions between 2005 and 2013;under a robust de-institutionalisation programme, children were either reunited with their families, placed in a newly developed foster care system or at small group family-like homes, housing 8–10 children.³⁵ Unpublished data indicated that around 80% of children and adolescents living in Small Family-like Houses, suffered from at least one mental disorder.³⁶

Services in Georgia, including preventive programmes, for YP have been extremely limited, especially for dealing with common mental disorders and addiction problems. The government and policy makers in Georgia acknowledged the problems resulting from MH burden among YP and prepared a National Action Plan on MH Reform 2015–2020 that emphasised the needs of MH interventions development for YPs. This need is re-stated again in the National Strategic Plan for 2022–2030 that puts child and adolescent mental health as one of the country’s priorities.

1.5. Club Synergy

Club Synergy was designed as an innovative, pragmatic solution that is responsive to the needs of YP in Georgia and incorporates all necessary levels of care required (prevention, early identification & intervention, and treatment) into a single service. It is also the first service in Georgia to provide trauma-informed care using a TD approach. Plans were conceived locally, involving clinicians, child rights advocates, policy makers and YP who were engaged in MHPSS with initiators of the service, including co-authors of this paper, and then developed with the support of national and international colleagues, mostly clinical academics from Germany and UK. It was agreed that the Club Synergy model should be based on the evidence available with respect to trauma-informed care and the transdiagnostic approach. Regular meetings were held between stakeholders and iterations of the proposal were consulted on before it was finalised.

Effective communication was agreed to be very important with the choice of an appropriate name being a key early task in this regard. Club Synergy was chosen with consultations of potential service users as an attractive, non-stigmatising name that would attract YP to present to the service, removing a possible barrier to access and engagement. Club Synergy also emphasises the collaborative and integrative approach of the service with a culture of co-production with a range of stakeholders, including Synergy teams and YP service users, but also representatives of partner organisations, e.g. Crime Prevention Centre of Georgia.

Synergy opened in April 2019, with Clubs located in the two main cities of Georgia: Tbilisi (population 1,114,000) and Batumi (population 155,000), offering support for YP experiencing emotional and behavioural problems, including addiction problems (See Box 1). Both Clubs have capacity to serve around 600 YP per year. To facilitate access and engagement, the Clubs are open from 2pm to 7pm (after school hours) on weekdays and Saturdays. Club Synergy is an inclusive, free to access, preventive-intervention psychosocial service, that offers support to YP aged 14–25 with MH problems, however they manifest. The service caters for people with sub-diagnostic threshold MH problems, people in high risk-groups (e.g. with offending behaviour for secondary prevention) and people with manifest mental disorders. Club Synergy is available to all YP, but also supports specific target groups, including YP in conflict with the law; IDPs and war-affected YP; and their family members/carers. Club Synergy is managed by the NGO GIP-Tbilisi.

Box 1: Club Synergy Service: Indications for Referral.

• Psychoactive substance use

• Other addictive behaviour (gambling, gaming)

• Difficulties communicating with peers or adults

• Emotional problems – feeling sad, anger control issues, anxiety, etc.

• Behavioural difficulties, e.g. aggression

• Sleeping problems or somatic complains not caused by medical reasons – abdominal pain, headache, etc.

• Psycho-traumatic experience, e.g. abuse, bereavement, bullying.

The Club Synergy staff were selected to allow a multidisciplinary approach to service delivery. The specialists who work in the service are addictologists and psychologists trained in delivering MHPSS social workers, a doctor somatologist and psychiatrists. In preparation for the launch of Club Synergy, almost 18 months of training was provided to staff by local experts, addictologists from Hamburg University (Germany) and experts in CYP MH and traumatic stress from Cardiff University (UK).³⁷ The external supervisors – experienced, trained and certified MH specialists from GIP-Tbilisi – were assigned to both Clubs and weekly case and team supervision was established.

1.6. Operating procedure

A common operating procedure has been adopted across both Clubs, comprising a case management system and essential documentation, including a code of conduct, ethical procedures, and informed consent forms (for the first time in Georgia).

Awareness raising of Club Synergy and what it can offer was undertaken by preparing and publishing adverts, fliers and booklets and distributing them to relevant agencies and stakeholders. The majority of YP self-refer, whilst others are referred by various agencies, including the Crime Prevention Centre and the Probation Agency of Georgia (at the Ministry of Justice), the Social Agency of Georgia (at the Ministry of IDPs, Labor, Health and Social Care), and Psychological Centres (funded by the Ministry of Education) (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Club Synergy Pathway for YP.

The Clubs offer a range of interventions developed specifically for Club Synergy, including individual counselling, family and parental/carers’ counselling, individual and group modules (See supplementary material). The model of care assumes that early detection of problems and timely intervention can prevent development of more severe conditions and/or alleviate, reduce or even stop symptoms from further evolving. Following assessment, intervention involves the delivery of basic TD modules and, if indicated, advanced, focused modules.

The interventions offered include existing evidence-based interventions that have been adapted for use in Georgia, e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for PTSD,³⁸ and specifically developed transdiagnostic interventions based on the evidence available for these, e.g. emotional regulation.³⁹ The local mental health professionals involved in the development of Club Synergy agreed and developed the modules that would be used, in consultation with international colleagues. More detailed information on the Club Synergy interventions and the evidence that supports their use can be found the supplementary material.

There are 7 TD modules that address skills building, resource activation and resilience building so that YP feel better able to deal with common specific problems. The modules have been personalised for two 2 age groups of 14–17 and 18–25 years.

The advanced, focused modules are based on cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches and include interventions for PTSD, addiction, and gambling.

The client is usually offered one or more TD modules after an initial assessment interview and may then transition to the advanced module(s), if needed. There are cases when the TD and advanced modules are started in parallel. The decision is made by the transdiagnostic team, led by a case manager, who invites appropriate specialists to be part of the case management process that considers the relevance of the modules to the needs of the YP.

The modules were made up of multiple sessions and designed so that they could be delivered both individually and in a group format. Therapists were able to use their clinical judgement to combine modules rather than focusing on one at a time. The sessions were designed to last 45 min and included instruction in skills and between-session practice assignments.

2. Aim

To examine the characteristics of young people presenting to Club Synergy and the effectiveness of contact with the service.

3. Methods

Quantitative evaluation of a consecutive series of young people seen by Club Synergy between November 2019 and July 2020. Demographic information was analysed using descriptive statistics. Pre–post outcomes for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

This paper presents preliminary findings only; full evaluation of the service effectiveness (using both quantitative and qualitative analysis of gathered data) will be available in 2022/23.

3.1. Outcome/Screening Measures

Box 2 lists the core and optional measures adopted by Club Synergy. These have all been shown to be valid and reliable instruments in various contexts and, with the exception of the WHO ACEs, are completed as part of the intake assessment (pre-test), on completion of intervention(s) (post-test) and during a follow up session at 3 months. The WHO ACEs are completed at the third or fourth session of contact to reduce the risk of revictimisation and increased patient stigma.⁴⁰

All data collected from 1 November 2019 have been analysed as part of a study looking at the clinical effectiveness of Club Synergy, whether YP benefit from the service provided and, if so, whether this is sustained. In addition, factors associated with outcome have also been studied.

Box 2: Club Synergy Outcome/Screening Measures

Core Measures Completed by all Clients

• PHQ941 (validated measure of screening depression symptoms)

• GAD742 (validated measure of screening anxiety symptoms)

• EQ-5D43 (validated measure of health-related quality of life)

• WHO ACE-IQ44 (a measure of adverse childhood experiences)*

• Client Satisfaction Survey (only completed after intervention)

Optional Measures Completed at Discretion of Clinician/Consultant

• ITQ45 (validated measure of PTSD)

• ASSIST46 (validated measure of addictive behaviours)

• Lie/Bet Questionnaire47 (validated measure of gambling)

*Introduced February 2020.

Since April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the service has been working online, offering clients remote counselling via video platforms such as Zoom and Skype, with greater reliance on mobile phones, texts, and e-mails to provide support and deliver services. The development of a website to provide self-help tools to YP was also initiated.

4. Results

Table 1 describes the demographic characteristics and data on source of referral of the 174 young persons, aged 14–25, who accessed the service between 1 November 2019 and 31 July 2020.

Table 1.

Sample characteristics (N = 174).

Characteristics	N = 174	%
Male	67	38.5
Female	107	61.5
14–17 year	60	34.5
18–21 year	63	36.2
22–25 year	51	29.3
General population (self-referred)	118	67.8
YP in Conflict with law (referred)	40	23.0
YP under State (foster) care (referred)	6	3.4
Internally displaced persons (self-referred)	2	1.1
Data missing	8	4.6

The majority of clients self-referred (67.8%) with the Probation Agency making the most referrals (23%). There were almost twice as many females (61.5%) as males (38.5%). 36.2% were aged 18–21, 34.5% 14–17 and 29.3% 22–25.

Table 2 provides data on the complaints and problems of YP presented with at initial assessment. The information was collected through standard clinical interviews and, in the case of YP in conflict with law, additional information was provided by a social worker. The symptoms/difficulties had to be felt to be significant and impacting the YP to be included.

Table 2.

Symptoms/difficulties experienced on enrolment in the service (N = 174).

	Male		Female		Total
	N	%	N	%	N	%
Emotional disturbances	40	59.7	88	82.2	128	73.6
Anxiety / restlessness	30	44.8	75	70.1	105	60.3
Problems in interpersonal relationships	31	46.3	69	64.5	100	57.5
Low mood	22	32.8	64	59.8	86	49.4
Sleep difficulties	27	40.3	53	49.5	80	46.0
Internalised difficulties (loneliness, social anxiety symptoms)	20	29.9	44	41.1	64	36.8
Self-esteem problems	14	20.9	45	42.1	59	33.9
Externalised difficulties (physical aggression, verbal bullying, defiance, theft)	16	23.9	23	21.5	39	22.4
Obsessive thoughts and behaviours	12	17.9	25	23.4	37	21.3
Psychosomatic complaints	6	9.0	27	25.2	33	19.0
Drug/substance use problems	16	23.9	8	7.5	24	13.8
Risk of suicide/suicidal ideation and plans	5	7.5	16	15.0	21	12.1
Video gaming	3	4.5	0	0	3	1.7
Gambling	2	3.0	0	0	2	1.1

Some differences between females and males can be seen; more females reported symptoms of anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbances, loneliness, self-esteem problems, psychosomatic distress and suicidal ideation, while more male young people reported problems with aggression and addiction behaviours.

Ninety-six (55%) clients completed the ACE-IQ questionnaire. Other clients were not asked to complete the questionnaire as it was only introduced in February 2020, refused to complete it or did not complete it correctly.

Table 3 shows the overall mean scores along with those for the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles. It also shows the frequency of exposure during the childhood to different adverse experiences.

Table 3.

Results of the ACE questionnaire (N = 96).

ACE measurement (0–13)	Mean (min–max) score	Percentiles			N
		25	50	75
ACE binary	5.45 (0–12)	3.00	5.50	8.00	96
ACE frequency	3.06 (0–9)	1.00	2.00	5.00	96

The binary data shows the number of childhood experiences across several domains: family dysfunction; physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect by parents or caregivers; peer violence; witnessing community violence, and exposure to collective violence. The frequency score refers to how frequent was the particular event happening to a person – ‘many times’, ‘a few times’, ‘once’ or ‘never’.

The number and frequency of adverse childhood experiences is shown the Table 4.

Table 4.

Number of ACEs in the Synergy clients (N = 96).

Number of ACEs (0–13)	Exhibited 0 ACE n (%)	1 ACE n (%)	2 ACEs n (%)	3 ACEs n (%)	More than 3 ACEs n (%)	N
ACE binary	9 (9.38)	2 (2.08)	5 (5.21)	10 (10.42)	70 (72.92)	96
ACE frequency	19 (19.79)	11 (11.46)	22 (22.92)	5 (5.21)	39 (40.63)	96

The ACEs data demonstrates high exposure to childhood traumatic experiences –10.4% had experienced 3 ACEs (with frequency of 5.21%) and 72.92% were exposed to 4 and more (with frequency of 40.63%).

The most commonly used individual treatment modules were Emotional Regulation (61.5% of clients received this over a mean number of 6.1 sessions) and Effective Communication and Interpersonal Relationship Skills (30.5% of clients received this over a mean number of 4.2 sessions). The Raising Awareness of Committed Crime module was received by 10.3% of clients over a mean number of 2.6 sessions, and the Brief Addiction module by 5.2% of clients over a mean number of 2.9 sessions. The Short Multicomponent Programme was the least employed module and received by 2.9% of clients. The Positive Parenting module was received by nine parents over a mean of 1.8 visits. The most utilised group interventions were Art-Therapy (14 groups with a mean of 3.1 sessions) and Emotional Regulation (4 groups with a mean of 5.3 sessions). As for advanced individual modules, CBT-TF was used with 4% of clients with a mean of 8.6. sessions.

Table 5 provides data comparing baseline and post-intervention scores on the main outcome measures for those YP who completed both assessments. 15.5% of clients remained in the service but did not complete post-intervention questionnaires and 13.8% dropped out from the service and did not complete post-intervention questionnaires. The missing data for clients who engaged with the service is likely associated with the fact that questionnaires were sent to clients after they were discharged, as opposed to being completed at the end of their final session with the service. It was also clear that some clients were not motivated to complete questionnaires, and it was agreed that after three reminders, it would be accepted that the data would not be returned. Younger and male clients were more likely not provide outcome data but the source of referral (self-referral or referral due to conflict with the law) was not associated with not providing outcome data.

Table 5.

Comparison of Pre-Post testing of key outcome measures (Median of the difference between pre- and post-tests).

	N	%	Pre-test median score (min–max)	Post-test median score (min–max)	Comparison pre-post testing outcomes p value	Median of the difference between pre and post test	95% CI
							Lower	Upper
Anxiety	61	98.4%	10.0 (0–20)	4.0 (0–15)	<0.01	−4.5	−5.5	−3.0
Anxiety_Funct imparment	59	95.2%	1.0 (0–3)	0.0 (0–3)	<0.01	−1.0	−1.0	−0.5
Health-related quality of life	52	83.9%	70.0 (20–100)	90.0 (40–100)	<0.01	10	7.5	15
Depression	61	98.4%	10.0 (1–26)	4.0 (0–19)	<0.01	−4	−5.5	−3.0
Depression_ Funct. impairment	58	93.5%	1.0 (0–3)	0.0 (0–3)	<0.01	−0.5	−1.0	−0.5

As can be seen, statistically significant improvements were found for all outcome measures with clear reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms and improvements in health-related quality of life and functioning. Analysis of data from clients who received input from Club Synergy in person, on-line or a few a mixture of both showed no difference in outcomes on the PHQ9, EQ-5D-5L and GAD-7.

5. Discussion

Club Synergy was developed in Georgia to address major unmet mental health needs in YP. Preliminary findings suggest that the trauma-informed, TD psychosocial prevention-intervention service provided by Club Synergy improved the health and wellbeing of YP presenting with a range of MH difficulties who engaged with it. If these findings are confirmed by the full study evaluation, the Club Synergy model has the potential to be expanded and implemented elsewhere in Georgia and beyond, to help to address the major ‘treatment gap’ for people with MH problems, especially for YP in LMICs.

Flaherty et al.⁴⁸ documented a graded relationship between adverse childhood exposures and MH problems. Exposure rates rise in risk-group YP due to several disadvantage factors, such as poverty, family and community violence, being orphaned and being in conflict with law.⁴⁹ Consequently, we expected high rates of exposure in YP accessing Club Synergy and this was the case. Almost three quarters (73%) reported exposure to 4 or more ACES. Direct comparisons to general population in Georgia are not possible as such data do not exist among for the general population. However, it is significantly higher than general population studies of university students in Turkey,⁵⁰ or young adults⁵¹ and adults of all ages in China.⁵² Our data clearly suggests that YP presenting to Club Synergy had been exposed to significant trauma, were at very high risk of developing mental disorder and an appropriate group to attempt to reduce the impact of ACEs in through the provision of preventive interventions (Folk et al., 2020).

The prevalence of ACEs and overall Club Synergy experience underlines the importance of adopting a trauma-informed approach; the staff of Club Synergy tailored interventions to take into account the adverse experiences of the YP, recognising that the transition from adolescence to young adulthood is already a period of great change for individuals and families/carers. The range of relevant TD modules, including emotional regulation, psychoeducation and emotional disbalance management, were generally delivered over more sessions to YP with more ACEs.

Limited consensus exists on what constitute the optimal active ingredients for prevention, though, those aspects of an intervention that drive clinical effect, are conceptually well defined.⁵³ The TD approach, combining common elements of cognitive–behavioural therapy-based treatment for multiple and comorbid mental health problems, was well received by YP and staff within Club Synergy. It appears well suited to the Club Synergy population and has been applied to numerous settings in low- and middle-income countries⁵⁴ and proved successful.⁵⁵

We consider a particular strength of the Club Synergy model to be the development and personalisation of TD modules according to our experiences with YP, assessing their and their carers needs and problems, promoting the development of emotional and social skills and competences, while at the same time reducing disruptive behaviours and mental health symptoms and improving personal well-being.

The wide range of different MH presentations, and overlap in them, and the positive outcomes for YP who completed pre–post measures of depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life supports the decision to adopt a TD approach. Our results demonstrated a 40% reduction in median baseline scores for depression, a 45% reduction for anxiety and 100% and 50% improvements of reported functional impairment/impact for depression and anxiety respectively. A 14% improvement in YP self-rated health was also observed.

The findings are consistent with other studies of TD interventions, which have found positive effects for anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction problems in adults (see notes 27–29,64), and the emerging evidence for TD interventions in YP with anxiety, depression, and behavioural difficulties (see notes 32–33).

It is difficult to determine the exact reasons why Club Synergy appears to have been successful, but several factors are likely to have contributed to this. It is well documented that help seeking is hindered by both personal and public stigma⁵⁶ and, therefore, the community-based set up of the Club Synergy service with a youth-friendly name, free-of-charge delivery, family friendly atmosphere is likely to have decreased key barriers to the access of care by YP not least by lessening the ‘psychological distance’ between the service and YP. Other key factors are likely to include the multidisciplinary nature of the service and personalised, transdiagnostic approach to the identification of needs and delivery of appropriate prevention and/or treatment interventions.

There are several strengths to this work, including the fact it represents an evaluation of a newly developed service (the first of its kind in Georgia), that was adapted during a global pandemic (e.g. through the use of remote delivery and blended approaches). The project is also an example of a collaborative approach between an international group of clinical researchers.

6. Limitations

A key limitation is that data was only available for a proportion of those presenting to Club Synergy and pre-post measures were available for a lesser proportion, not least because not all participants had completed their intervention(s) at the time the dataset was analysed. It should also be noted that our conclusions are based on a limited number of clinical outcomes without longer term follow-up. These issues should result in caution when interpreting the results, but it is important to remember that this is a preliminary analysis and quantitative and qualitative data collection is ongoing with further evaluation of the Club Synergy model and analyses planned for the future.

6.1. Clinical and Research implications

More than 40% of the world population is 24 years old or younger, the vast majority of whom live in low- and lower middle–income countries.⁵⁷ Globally, a quarter of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for mental disorders and substance abuse is borne by this age group, and about 75% of mental disorders diagnosed in adulthood have their onset before the age of 24 years.⁵⁸ There is growing evidence and awareness regarding the magnitude of mental health issues across the globe, these start in half of those affected before the age of 14 and have lifelong effects on individuals and society.⁵⁹ Most children and young people in developing countries do not have access to mental health care. The disparities between need, demand and access to youth mental healthcare are very high in low and- middle-income countries (LMICs), where scarcity of available resources for youth mental healthcare represents a major obstacle to decreasing the impact of mental disorders across the lifespan.⁶⁰ To address the mental health care services’ GAP in YP healthcare in LMICs, the balancing of comprehensive tertiary care (for a minority) with other forms of services to serve the majority is recommended.⁶¹

There is an urgent need to establish effective community-based services that offer a broad range of preventive and treatment modules to YP with emotional and behavioural problems and proof of concept has now been established for the Club Synergy service model. The pilot service was implemented through donor funding (European Comission), as is usual practice in LMICs,⁶² and is not yet part of the state system.

The main clinical implications are that the TD, trauma-informed model of care adopted by Club Synergy has the potential to: (1) provide an accessible service to YP in Georgia at risk of developing and with MH problems; and (2) provide interventions that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of YP who engage with them.

We have been collecting data using qualitative methods and this preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of the Club Synergy model will be followed by the publication of more detailed quantitative and qualitative evaluation, including consideration of health economic aspects of the service.

Funding Statement

This work was accomplished under the Joint Adolescent Health 2018 National Prevention Research Initiative [Grant Reference: MR/ S025278/1] and co-funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) through the National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data can be made available upon request to the corresponding author.