The long-standing rise in the number of children with mental health challenges is leading to bottlenecks in the care system and long waiting times for therapy places. Furthermore, for younger children, a play-based approach to complex topics (e.g. emotion regulation) is often more accessible than the traditional one-to-one psychotherapy setting.

For this reason, we have launched the EnTree project. By creating an interactive, family-oriented, networked and accessible therapy programme, we aim to use EnTree to bridge a gap in the healthcare system. EnTree is delivered via a digital children’s book, accompanying physical cards that are used in a playful way by patients and therapists, and an online portal through which the progress of therapy can be viewed. EnTree also incorporates addiction-prevention elements to promote a reflective, regulated and practical approach to using digital media, such as encouraging activities in nature – the so-called "outdoor missions".

Our consortium comprises experts from the fields of child and adolescent psychiatry, psychiatry and psychotherapy, neuroscience, game design and data analytics, including two participating start-ups (Meander-Interactive, MiNDNET E-Health Solutions GmbH). All EnTree elements are developed during the development phase as part of a participatory process involving children, parents and therapists