What is the effectiveness of interventions to support the mental and emotional health and wellbeing of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)? A Rapid Evidence Review

Mental health problems among young people have continued to rise over the last decade. Support services are available in higher education and in many workplace environments. However, while approaches to maintain or enhance mental health and wellbeing within these settings are valuable, it is important to understand what alternative community-based supportive measures or interventions are effective for young people who may not be able to access these services. It is estimated that 13.4% of all young people (aged 16-24) are considered not in education, employment or training (NEET) across the UK. Young people who are NEET have also been found to have a higher incidence of mental health problems than young people who are not NEET. The aim of this rapid review is to identify the effectiveness of interventions to support mental and health and wellbeing in young people who are NEET. Included studies were published between 2013 and 2025. Nine primary studies, conducted in a range of countries, were included. Studies investigated psychological interventions (n=3), nature-based interventions (n=2), animal assisted interventions (n=2), social prescribing interventions (n=1), and holistic coaching interventions (n=1). Overall, there is evidence to suggest that interventions delivered in a nonclinical, community-based, or home setting could potentially improve a range of mental health and wellbeing outcomes in young people who are NEET. Participants were generally accepting of the interventions. The psychological interventions were found to improve psychological, social and occupational functioning, reduce difficulties in emotion regulation, reduce psychological distress and led to positive behaviour changes. The nature-based interventions were found to improve social, emotional and behavioural functioning, as well as social connection and mental wellbeing and may be more effective for those who meet the criteria for anxiety or depression. The animal assisted interventions were found to improve social behaviour, and participant abilities however some mixed findings were reported for the impact on self-esteem. The social prescribing intervention improved mental wellbeing and psychological distress. Lastly, the holistic coaching intervention improved participants sense of wellbeing; anxiety; access to peer support resources; knowledge of and access to services; and connection to learning and earning opportunities. Our confidence in the evidence is limited as the majority of outcomes were only evaluated by a single study. However, while the evidence base identified was limited in number and quality, the findings may help to inform the development and delivery of interventions in young people who are NEET. Given the limited evidence base, robust evaluations should be considered when developing and implementing an intervention for young people who are NEET. Further robust studies assessing long term effects are needed to determine how best to support this population.