Children and young people with mild depression should be treated with digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), NICE has said.
The draft guidance, released today, said patients aged between five and 18 should be given online CBT as a first-line treatment, something already recommended for adults.
The draft guidelines said: ‘Offer all children and young people with continuing mild depression, and without significant comorbid problems or active suicidal ideas or plans, a choice of the following psychological therapies for a limited period (approximately two to three months): digital CBT, or group therapy (CBT or interpersonal psychotherapy, or mindfulness).’
The purpose is to give patients faster access to help, as digital CBT is available on a mobile phone or laptop, NICE said.
NHS England’s national mental health director Claire Murdoch said: ‘Given how quickly technology is constantly evolving and the fact that young people are usually at the forefront of this change, updating this draft guidance is another step forward.
‘Digital and online interventions can play an effective and important role in treatment, particularly when backed up by face to face support.’
The new recommendations from this fast-tracked update were sparked by a recent trial looking at psychological therapies in young people.
The draft guidance is now in consultation, with the final document set to be published in April.
