This group of researchers employed a quasi-experimental pre-/postintervention design to explore the impact of facilitated access to free counselling support amongst 581 culturally diverse youth aged 10–24 years. The research using the following outcome measures: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Substance Abuse Choices Scale (SACS), Children’s Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS), as well as consumer feedback questionnaires. Those participants who completed the intervention reported significant improvements from baseline in global social and psychiatric functioning measured by C-GAS (p<0.001), a reduced risk of clinically significant mental health concerns measured by the SDQ (p<0.001), and reductions in the use and impact of drugs/alcohol as measured by SACS scores (p<0.001). Participants and their families/whānau perceived the interventions to be safe and appropriate, resulting in increased skill development around coping and communication.
