The article “Do no harm: can school mental health interventions cause iatrogenic harm?” explores the potential negative effects of school-based mental health interventions on adolescents. It discusses how these interventions may inadvertently cause harm, like increased distress or symptom deterioration.
The authors identify possible mechanisms for this harm, promoting rumination on negative thoughts and the influence of peer dynamics in group settings.
The authors argue for the urgent need to research and document potential harms, to measure and report adverse effects in studies, and to develop interventions that minimize risks while maximizing benefits.
Erratum was issued on 27 February 2023, which pointed to a single spelling error.