The pros and cons of online single-session mental health interventions
Submitted by Nina Higson-Sweeney
Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash
AI disclosure: AI was used to support drafting this summary, which was then edited to ensure accuracy and accessibility.
Given the challenges that young people face when attempting to access mental health services, researchers are exploring alternative ways to provide support. One method is through online single-session interventions (SSIs), which are brief, one-off digital interventions designed to provide immediate, accessible support without the need for ongoing therapy. To learn more about what young people think of SSIs, we interviewed 24 young people aged 15-18 years old.
Young people described several benefits to SSIs, including anonymity, easy access, lack of waiting lists, and the ability to use support without needing to disclose difficult feelings to another person. Young people felt that SSIs could be particularly helpful for anyone beginning to struggle with low mood and could act as the first step towards further support.
However, young people doubted whether a single session would be enough to support someone with severe mental health difficulties. Some felt that self-help approaches may be difficult to engage with during periods of hopelessness or low motivation. Young people emphasised that SSIs should not be presented as a quick fix and should complement rather than replace traditional mental health services.
I’m a young person – what does this mean for me?
Online SSIs may be a useful way of accessing early mental health support. However, SSIs are not a replacement for traditional support, like therapy or counselling.
I’m a clinician – what does this mean for me?
SSIs may help expand access to early mental health support for young people, such as those waiting for care. However, they will not meet everyone’s needs and should not replace more intensive support where required.