Implementing Behavioral Interventions in Schools: A New Approach to Adolescent Mental Health

In a school-based pilot quasi-experimental trial, Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents when delivered within routine school settings.

The investigators enrolled adolescents aged 12–17 and compared an eight‑week group intervention against a waitlist control. Primary endpoints were anxiety and depressive symptom scores at baseline and post-intervention. Post‑intervention analyses showed statistically significant reductions in anxiety (mean difference 4.20, p=0.016, Cohen’s d=0.42) and a significant group effect in mixed‑model analysis (p=0.001), indicating short‑term clinical benefit.

The program comprised eight weekly 90‑minute sessions emphasizing activity scheduling, mood monitoring, and repeated skills practice from behavioral activation, and was structured for classroom integration. Completion was high, with 93.06% of students attending all sessions.

At three‑month follow‑up, the intervention sustained significant improvements versus baseline and control, suggesting short‑term durability.