Young People’s Views of Social Prescribing as an Approach to Improving Mental Health: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Child and adolescent mental health difficulties are increasing in the UK and internationally. Social prescribing (SP), a nonmedical, community-linked approach, has shown promise for improving adult wellbeing, but its use and acceptability among young people (YP) remain under-researched. There is limited evidence regarding YP’s own views on whether SP is a valuable option for supporting youth mental health. This study aimed to explore YP’s views on SP in England. Participants included YP both with and without experience of SP in England, recruited via youth organisations, social media and community contacts. Overall, 10 YP between the ages of 11 and 25 (mean = 19.6) were interviewed. This included five YP who had engaged in SP and five who had not. Data from semistructured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis (TA), identifying 10 themes organised within three main categories. These reflected positive views (e.g., a new social sphere, self-transformation and valuing a nonmedical alternative), negative views (including concerns about SP replacing therapy and experiences of feeling invalidated or dismissed) and moderating factors (such as the influence of social support, shared decision-making, resource availability and differing expectations). Findings from this study have highlighted what YP themselves think of and may want from SP services, including what would make them more or less likely to engage with SP. This study has also highlighted some limits of SP as an approach to tackle mental health inequalities in YP.