Editorial: Better Treatments and the Importance of Publishing Negative Clinical Trials

We need better treatments for children with mental health problems, particularly those struggling with depression and suicidality. Every reader of this editorial already knows this. While our best treatments help many children and adolescents, some experience only modest improvements such that they are still burdened with much of the weight of mental illness. And some experience no benefit at all. These conclusions are supported by two recent meta analytic studies. In a comprehensive meta-analysis of the efficacy of treatments for anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct problems, and depression, outcomes for depression were the “most disappointing” with effect sizes of only .29 at post treatment assessments.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research