This mapping overview has demonstrated that there is an emerging evidence base (at the level of reviews) focused on selective prevention and mental health promotion for vulnerable groups of children and young people. In general this is a limited evidence base, with few ‘focused’ reviews for specific vulnerable groups, and some groups particularly underexplored. Within ‘mixed’ reviews it is also difficult to identify clear evidence regarding whether and how interventions can support the mental health and wellbeing of specific vulnerable groups.
Nevertheless, this overview suggests that there is emerging evidence, and that a wide variety of interventions have been reviewed in relation to a range of vulnerable groups. For example, there is some evidence regarding interventions to support the mental health of ‘at risk’/maltreated children in general, and also some evidence in relation to specific vulnerable groups (e.g. ethnic minority or indigenous young people, foster children, young people identified as low income). Furthermore, a variety of interventions (e.g. physical activity interventions, positive youth development interventions, early childhood education) have been carried out with vulnerable groups (as well as
the general population) and there is evidence that some of these interventions can be effective.
Before proceeding to implementation service commissioners should conduct further in-depth examination of the evidence for target groups, as well as considering this evidence alongside that for universal prevention, in order to determine the most appropriate interventions, and how to balance universal and targeted approaches to best serve the mental health and wellbeing needs of children and young people.
