Promoting mental health following the London bombings: a screen and treat approach

J Trauma Stress. 2008 Feb;21(1):3-8. doi: 10.1002/jts.20310.

Abstract

Following the 2005 London bombings, a novel public health program was instituted to address the mental health needs of survivors. In this article, the authors describe the rationale for the program, characteristics of individuals assessed within the program, and preliminary outcome data. In addition to validated screening instruments and routine service usage data, standardized questionnaire outcome measures were collected. Seventy-one percent of individuals screened positive for a mental disorder. Of those receiving a more detailed clinical assessment, PTSD was the predominant diagnosis. Preliminary outcome data on 82 patients revealed large effect sizes for treatment comparable to those previously obtained in randomized controlled trials. The program succeeded in its aim of generating many more referrals of affected individuals than came through normal referral channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catchment Area, Health
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • England / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / etiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Terrorism / psychology*