Preventing depression and promoting resilience: feasibility study of a school-based cognitive-behavioural intervention.

BACKGROUND The limited reach and effectiveness of psychological treatments for adolescent depression have fuelled interest in alternative approaches designed to promote resilience. Schools offer a convenient location for the widespread delivery of depression prevention programmes, although little research has evaluated the feasibility of delivering interventions in this setting. AIMS To investigate the feasibility of delivering and evaluating a universal school-based depression prevention programme for children aged 12-16 years. METHOD A three-arm pilot study was conducted in one UK secondary school (n = 834). RESULTS Interventions had good reach (96%), with high rates of consent (89%) and reasonable retention (78%). The majority of intervention sessions were delivered as intended, with 85% of students attending seven or more sessions. The programme was acceptable to students and teachers, with the specific content of the active intervention being rated differently from the control programmes. CONCLUSIONS Delivering and undertaking methodologically robust evaluations of universal school-based depression programmes is feasible.