Keynote 8 - All Together Now: Integrating Mental and Physical Health in Young People

Many patients who seek treatment for mental health difficulties also live with long-term physical health conditions. Yet mental and physical health care are still often delivered in silos, leading to fragmented support, poorer outcomes, and higher healthcare costs. This presentation will draw on research evidence from a large multi-centre randomised controlled trial of modular CBT for young people with epilepsy. Findings from this trial highlight how tailored psychological interventions can be delivered effectively alongside medical care to improve outcomes. It will also describe award-winning service innovations, including the development of 'drop-in' psychological services in paediatric hospitals providing 'low intensity' CBT delivered by paraprofessionals. These models demonstrate how embedding CBT within routine physical healthcare can provide affordable, timely, flexible support to children and families, reduce barriers to access, and increase access for those in need. In addition, the presentation will discuss national initiatives that are advancing integrated care. These programmes illustrate how closer collaboration between mental and physical health services can enhance recovery, reduce unnecessary healthcare utilisation, and expand access to evidence-based therapy at scale . Together, these examples will show the promise of integrated CBT approaches in transforming the way we deliver care for young people with physical health conditions and enabling the provision of health for all through affirming, equitable and sustainable CBT. The presentation will conclude by considering the practical challenges of implementation - including workforce training, role protection, and digital delivery - alongside creative possibilities for advancing the integration of mental and physical healthcare in the future.