This study explores the types of mental health intervention programs implemented for at-risk youth around

different countries. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach guided by PRISMA protocols, across

20 reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025, resilience focused, and community-based interventions

demonstrated measurable improvements in youth emotional regulation and self-efficacy. The review discovered

a wide range of intervention strategies employed internationally, with prominent approaches including cognitive-

behavioural therapy (CBT), resilience-focused programs, community-based services, nature-based

and mixed-methods approaches were found to be underutilized, despite their value in capturing the realities and

experiences of youth and the practical dynamics of service delivery. This review provides actionable insights for

adapting global best practices to Malaysian youth contexts. By identifying global best practices and recognizing

current research limitations, the study provides a knowledge base for policymakers, practitioners, and social

work professionals to design more inclusive, culturally responsive, and evidence-based programs tailored to the

needs of at-risk youth.

Keywords: At-risk youth, mental health, intervention, resilience, institution.

There is increasing global attention on the youth mental health considered at-risk due to their vulnerability to

diverse social, emotional, and behavioral adversities. At-risk youth such as those in institutions, and exposed to

outcomes such as educational disengagement, increased aggression, or involvement in criminal activity

(UNICEF, 2021). In response, many countries have implemented targeted mental health intervention programs

to tackle the unique needs of vulnerable youth, aiming to build resilience, but their effectiveness depends on the

local social, economic, and cultural contexts (Taylor & Garcia, 2023). This study aims to identify and analyze

the types of mental health interventions conducted abroad that have proven effective, to provide guidance for

program development in the local context.

The global landscape is increasingly prioritizing the development of integrated, resilience-focused mental health

interventions for at-risk youth, reflecting a broader shift from reactive to preventive care models. Innovations

include school-based programs, digital mental health platforms, nature-based therapies, and cross-sector

collaborations involving education, health, and juvenile justice systems. These approaches represent an evolving

income countries. These gaps underscore the importance of developing context-sensitive, inclusive, and

evidence-based mental health frameworks that can be adapted to various cultural and structural realities.

Resilience-focused mental health interventions are crucial for enhancing individuals' ability to cope with stress

and adversity. Effective programs often integrate multiple components, such as psychological support, skill-

building, and environmental resources, to foster resilience across diverse populations. These interventions are

particularly beneficial for healthcare professionals, social workers, students, and other high-risk groups.

A systematic literature review was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparent selection

and reporting of sources. Adapted from Page et al., 2020, PRISMA work in thorough identification of databases,

abstracts and full texts reviewed to meets the necessary requirements. The literature search was performed using

(LIMIT-TO (EXACTKEYWORD, "Adolescent") OR LIMIT-TO (EXACTKEYWORD, "Mental Health"))

AND (LIMIT-TO (DOCTYPE, "ar")) AND (LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "SOCI" OR "PSYC" OR "MEDI"))

AND (LIMIT-TO (LANGUAGE, "English"))

The article selection process involved several stages; a) initial screening to exclude irrelevant articles based on

titles and abstracts, b) full-text review to analyze relevant articles in detail, and c) data synthesis where key

findings were categorized by type of intervention and effectiveness.

This enhances keyword insert broader synonyms that includes terms like “vulnerable adolescent”, “justice-

of interventions such as preventive, rehabilitative, and therapeutic for comprehensive results. To obtain credible

articles, the selection of articles has been determined in terms of the recent year of publication 2020-2025, journal

excluded unless they provided unique contextual insights. Only peer-reviewed publications were included; thus,

grey literature such as dissertations, conference abstracts, and unpublished reports were omitted to ensure

consistency in scholarly standards. Further, non-English language studies were excluded due to translation

constraints, potentially introducing language bias but maintaining feasibility within the scope of the review.

Finally, studies published prior to a defined temporal threshold (2019) were excluded to ensure the findings

reflected contemporary intervention practices and theoretical advancements. These criteria were intended to

enhance the credibility and relevance of the synthesized evidence by prioritizing well-designed and transparently

reported study. Table 1 outlines the criteria for inclusion and exclusion.

Table 1 Criteria for Article Selection and Rejection

The systematic literature review followed a rigorous multi-stage process of identification, screening, eligibility

assessment, and inclusion, as outlined in the PRISMA diagram. Initially, 1,750 articles were retrieved from two

primary databases: Scopus and Web of Science and three supplementary sources: Springer, PubMed, and Google

Scholar. During the identification phase, 359 duplicate records were removed, resulting in 1,391 unique articles.

However, the diagram then notes that only 74 articles were screened, indicating a likely use of relevance-based

title and abstract filtering to narrow down the pool. Based on specific exclusion criteria, 285 articles were

removed, as they were categorized as review articles or book chapters, presented as conference proceedings, and

not written in English.

Subsequently, 50 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, resulting in the exclusion of 30 that did not meet

the inclusion criteria which, lack of focus on youth populations or the absence of resilience as a primary thematic

and credibility of the review's findings as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 PRISMA Diagram Illustrating Study Selection Process

Contemporary youth mental health programs globally are characterized by integrated care models, sensitivity to

cultural contexts, and diverse engagement techniques. Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, South Korea, and

The analysis of international literature revealed a range of intervention strategies targeting youth mental health

and resilience, which can be grouped into six major thematic areas as follow:

 Systems-Level and Cross-Sector Collaboration - wherein interventions aim to integrate services across

institutional boundaries. For instance, in Canada, Henderson et al. (2017) implemented the RAFT

program, which combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a coordinated response across

integrated care systems supporting youth with concurrent mental health and substance use disorder.

capitalizing on individual strengths were frequently implemented within educational and community

environments. In Australia, Dray (2021) proposed a conceptual framework that emphasized

strengthening protective factors to foster psychological resilience in children and adolescents. In the U.S.,

Senior et al. (2022) found that a school-based resilience-building program significantly improved

emotional regulation in underserved youth aged 9–12. Likewise, Sabin et al. (2021) reported that a

universal resilience coaching intervention boosted self-efficacy and reduced internalizing symptoms,

particularly among students with elevated negative affectivity.

 Innovative and Nature-Based Interventions - formed a third theme, offering culturally responsive and

non-traditional alternatives. South Korea has implemented a forest therapy program for juvenile

probationers, which not only reduced physiological stress markers but also improved psychological well-

social equity. Despite promising models, inconsistencies in program definitions and outcome measures across

studies point to the need for greater methodological rigor. The findings emphasize the significance of progressing

Despite these sampling-related limitations, most studies demonstrated a low risk of nonresponse bias, with only

one explicitly acknowledging the potential effects of self-report bias (Klein et al., 2024). Additionally, only two

Beyond methodological considerations, several studies also reported important limitations specific to their

preliminary stage of evaluation. According to Klein et al. (2024), a key limitation was the use of self-reported

data and the omission of random assignment, which both can influence the validity of reported effects. Toews et

al. (2024) recognized variability in the effectiveness of counseling-based strategies, emphasizing the need for

tailored interventions. These self-reported limitations reflect an awareness among researchers of the constraints

inherent in their work and underscore the need for more robust study designs moving forward. Besides, a

recurring limitation across studies is the lack of youth involvement in intervention design and evaluation.

Incorporating participatory frameworks and qualitative insights can enhance intervention relevance, ensure

cultural fit, and improve engagement outcomes.

emphasized the value of multi-dimensional engagement strategies tailored to at-risk populations (Toews et al.,

2024), while others supported the significance of implementing resilience-centered intervention in preventing