Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) care in Georgia is underdeveloped. Prevention programs and early detection-intervention services have been lacking; however, the Government’s recent adoption of the Georgian Mental Health Strategy 2022-2030 signals an intention for improvement, with CAMH service development as the top priority.
This presentation will focus on the contemporary, trauma-informed mental health service, Club Synergy, which aims to address the „treatment gap” and offer prevention, early intervention, management, and follow-up care to young people aged 14-25.
Method: Quantitative data, including clinical outcome measures, nature and duration of treatment, were collected pre- and post-treatment and at three-month follow-up.
Results: The data of 266 YP who completed treatment were analysed. 87% of the respondents reported experiencing at least four Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and 54% reported at least seven. The most frequently reported adverse experiences were emotional abuse, violence against household members, emotional neglect, community violence, and bullying. Clients with higher ACE scores (four or more) displayed significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety, as well as more pronounced symptoms like sleep disturbances, psychosomatic complaints, and low mood.
The effect of the transdiagnostic interventions was significant – mean symptom reduction was over 60% in those who completed the treatment and were maintained at the three-month follow-up. Overall satisfaction ratings were over 90%.
Conclusions: The trauma-sensitive transdiagnostic services based on a biopsychosocial model have the potential to be effective and acceptable for YP at risk of or with common mental health problems.