A lost generation? Scaling iPDT to transform mental health outcomes for young people (age 16-25) in the UK

NHS-Talking Therapies (NHS-TT) is among the largest mental health service providers in the UK, receiving 1.82 million referrals in 2023/24. Yet the 16–25-year-old group has the poorest outcomes of all those referred to NHS-TT. Our vision is to improve engagement and outcomes for young people aged 16-25 seeking help with low mood. We aim for a stepped change in reach, impact, equity and sustainability by integrating an evidence-based, scalable digital intervention, designed by and for young people, into NHS-TT. During the Foundation Phase we will partner with key stakeholders, including young people, researchers, NHS services, policymakers, technology and implementation scientists to understand and plan how to embed internet-based psychodynamic therapy (iPDT), an evidence-based, guided self-help programme, into NHS-TT. The aim is to overcome barriers to young people receiving effective help. Working with our partners we will plan the Impact Phase to: (1) evaluate whether iPDT leads to higher levels of engagement, retention and impact in young people referred to NHS-TT services, (2) collect data to determine iPDT’s economic impact, including reduced onward referrals to higher-cost services, and (3) develop detailed plans for implementation and scalability. This project is a real-world transformation initiative with a clear route to sustained impact.