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The effect of e-mail based depression information interventions on help seeking behaviour, mental health literacy and helping behaviour in young adults: randomised controlled trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ISRCTN
Registry ID
ISRCTN98406912
Enrollment
900
Registered
2007-03-05
Start date
2007-02-05
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression Mental and Behavioural Disorders Depressive episode

Interventions

Two versions of the depression information interventions (basic and enhanced) will be compared to a control intervention. Participants who receive the depression information interventions receive a se
its treatment
health professionals who provide these treatments
and resources for further information. The enhanced intervention contains more detailed information and also addresses ambivalence towards seeking professional help. Participants in the control inter

Sponsors

Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University (Australia)
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 19 - 23 years 2. Report that they use e-mail in a screening questionnaire and provide researchers with their first name and e-mail address 3. Be willing to participate in the trial

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: For ethical reasons, participants will be excluded from participating in the trial if they obtain the maximum score on a psychological distress scale included in the screening questionnaire (indicating that they are likely to be severely depressed)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Help seeking behaviour for feelings of depression.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Mental health literacy outcomes: 1. Recognition of depression 2. Beliefs about the helpfulness of supportive counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and anti-depressants for young adults with depression 3. Beliefs about the helpfulness of various people (including professionals and non-professionals) for young adults with depression 4. Depression stigma directed toward the self (self stigma) 5. Self-reported knowledge of processes involved in seeking help for depression from different health professionals 6. Self-reported knowledge about the types of help/treatments for depression provided by different health professionals and what to expect at an initial consultation 7. Self-reported knowledge of "an Australian website that has good information about depression and it?s treatment" Helping behaviour outcomes: Referral of depressed peers to a GP or mental health professional. Other help seeking intentions and behaviour outcomes: Stage of change for the behaviour of seeking professional help for feelings of depression. Mental health status outcomes: Self reported symptoms of depression.

Countries

Australia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026