Artemis-A is a digital assessment tool designed to help schools identify pupils at risk of anxiety or depression. This project will evaluate its effectiveness within NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The goal is to determine whether Artemis-A can accurately identify young people who need support, enable earlier intervention, and assist CAMHS in managing long waiting lists.
Background
Child and Young People Mental Health Services in the UK are under increasing pressure, with rising demand and increasing waiting lists. Many young people wait months before they are seen by specialist services, during which time their condition may worsen. Schools play a critical role in spotting mental health concerns early; however, there is currently a gap between identification in schools and assessment and review by clinicians in CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). This slows down support for young people who need it most.
Artemis-A is a web-based, digital mental health assessment tool designed for schools. It uses advanced computer-based testing to assess young people quickly and accurately, helping schools to spot early signs of anxiety and depression. The tool also provides an easy-to-use dashboard for teachers, enabling them to see results and signpost young people to appropriate support. Artemis-A has not yet been adopted as standard practice within mental health services. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the tool and cautious about using its results in their decision-making.
Project Aims
In this project, we will work with our NHS partners to validate Artemis-A within a real-world mental health service setting. Our aim is to build trust and understanding among clinicians, so they feel confident using Artemis-A as part of their clinical decision-making process.
Project Activity
- We will compare Artemis-A results with the usual assessments carried out by CAMHS, focusing on children who are waiting to be seen by the service.
- We will ask children to complete Artemis-A assessments every two weeks while they are on the waiting list. During this period, they will also complete the current diagnostic gold standard for population mental health assessment (DAWBA) once.
- We will seek formal NHS digital approval for Artemis-A through the DTAC (Digital Technology Assessment Criteria) certification process, which is essential for Artemis-A to be used across NHS services.
- We shall carry out interviews with young people to co-design how best to approach those on CAMHS waiting lists and with clinicians to understand their views on Artemis-A, including whether they find it useful and how it might fit into their everyday clinical practice.
Anticipated Impact
- The project will deliver clear benefits: it will provide clinicians with evidence about the accuracy and usefulness of Artemis-A, support faster decision-making, and help more young people get the right care sooner. It will also give families more clarity about the process and improve communication between schools and health services.
- By the end of the project, Artemis-A will be ready for wider use across both education and health services, helping to bridge the gap between early identification in schools and timely clinical support.
Who is involved
- Jan Stochl, University of Cambridge
- Peter B Jones, University of Cambridge
- Anne-Marie Burn, University of Cambridge
- Aslihan Baser, University of Cambridge
- Tamsin Ford, University of Cambridge
Contact
Jan Stochl, js883@cam.ac.uk
