Internet Program Helps Depressed Teens

A new study in the February issue of the Journal of Development & Behavioral Pediatrics reports that an Internet program helps to reduce depression symptoms and prevents future episodes of depression in teens.

The program, called "Project CATCH-IT," uses proven methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral activation and interpersonal therapy, to teach the teens to change their behavior and to learn better coping skills. It includes a series of 14 modules that the teens can work through online through a secure website.

The researchers tested the program in 83 teens and young adults who were considered to be at risk for depression. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo either a brief discussion about depression with a doctor or a longer "motivational interview." Both groups were then given the Internet address for Project CATCH-IT.

Most of the teens in the study opted to visit the website, which was found to be effective in preventing future episodes of the depression. Based on a standard score, the percentage of patients with "clinically significant" depression decreased from 50% at the start of the study to no more than 15% at the three months follow-up.

The researchers hypothesized that the teens who had received the motivational interview might do better than those who had only talked briefly with a doctor, but overall depression scores were similar for both groups. Those who had received the motivational interview did do better in certain areas, however, such as having fewer thoughts of self-harm and hopelessness. Patients who received the motivational interview also spent more time using the website, which may have contributed to their additional improvements.

Study author Dr. Benjamin W. Van Voorhees of the University of Chicago suggests that Internet-based programs like Project CATCH-IT "may offer a low-cost way to implement depression prevention in community settings."

A version of Project CATCH-IT is available to the general public at http://catchit-public.bsd.uchicago.edu/.