Other evidence based strategies

An evidence-based review was undertaken (Sahle et al. 2020) to provide clinicians, policy makers, teachers, educators, health service providers and families with information about which interventions are effective at preventing family adversities and reducing their negative impact on mental health and are appropriate for use in Australia.

The evidence-based strategies identified through this review where then taken through a Delphi study, which is a well-established approach to gaining consensus across subject experts (Sahle et al. 2022). In summary, the below interventions, were agreed to be of greatest relevance by experts to the Australian context:

• Community wide interventions (PDF)
• Positive parenting programs (PDF)
• Home-visiting programs (PDF)
• Psychological interventions (PDF)
• School-based programs (PDF)

Publications of interest:

Sahle BW, Reavley NJ, Morgan AJ, Yap MBH, Reupert A, Jorm AF. A Delphi study to identify intervention priorities to prevent the occurrence and reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2022. doi:10.1177/00048674211025717. PDF research snapshot.

Sahle B., Reavley N., Morgan A., Yap M., Reupert A., Loftus H., Jorm A. Communication Brief: Summary of interventions to prevent adverse childhood experiences and reduce their negative impact on mental health: An evidence based review. Centre of Research Excellence in Childhood Adversity and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia, 2020

Hall, T., Honisett, S., Paton, K. et al. Prioritising interventions for preventing mental health problems for children experiencing adversity: a modified nominal group technique Australian consensus study. BMC Psychol 9, 165 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00652-0. PDF research snapshot.