There is now clear evidence that self help websites for anxiety and depression are effective in reducing symptoms, reducing '"caseness", and preventing the development of new depression. In this presentation, 4 recent placebo/waitlist randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of an automated depression website will be described. Trial 1 investigated the use of the website by individuals with elevated symptoms in the community; Trial 2 examined dose response relationships of short and long versions of the site: Trial 3 investigated the effectiveness and prevention capacity of the website in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in school students; Trial 4 examined the use of the websites within a national helpline ,with and without support. Effect sizes ranged widely ,with websites most effective in call centers. These findings are discussed in the context of recent debates about debates about guided and non guided interventions.
Helen Christensen is Director of the Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) at the Australian National University and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Senior Principal Research Fellow. She is the author of over 300 refereed journal articles, seven consumer books and three open access websites. Her areas of interest include the evaluation of internet applications/ online programs for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders, the quality of websites, the integration of new technologies into health care, the development of evidence‐ informed policy and methods to measure impact and dissemination.
The seminar will take place on 15.12.2010 from 12pm to 2pm.
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