The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of adolescents with
anxiety-based school attendance problems enrolled in a specialist adolescent
educational and mental health program that provides educational assistance and
social skills development, and to suggest key elements that may account for its
apparent effectiveness. Young people attending the Sulman Program in Sydney,
Australia, between March 2003 and December 2004 were identified. Baseline
information was gathered from the medical records, pre and postintervention
personal development questionnaires were given to students, and pre and
postratings of function were made. Those attending the program showed
improvement in their general level of functioning indicated by completion of a
year-long course of study (17 of 24), preparation for employment (17), increased
independent travel (5), and self-rated improvement in social skills, stress
tolerance and emotional literacy. Pre and poststaff ratings on the Health of the
Nation Outcomes Scales Child and Adolescent (HoNOSCA), Children’s
Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
indicated improvement in personal and social functioning. Parental satisfaction
was rated as high. The findings confirm the effectiveness of, and need for,
flexible programs to support adolescents with social anxiety disorder and other
longer-term mental health problems to offset the adverse consequences of early
withdrawal from educational and social environments. Several elements may help
to explain the program’s effectiveness and provide guidance for
similar programs elsewhere.
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