MEMO--a mobile phone depression prevention intervention for adolescents: development process and postprogram findings...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Technology
• Adolescent Psychology
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Adolescent depression can lead to long-term negative outcomes.
• New technologies offer scalable solutions for mental health prevention.
• Early intervention is crucial for preventing adult mental health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel mobile phone-based depression prevention program for adolescents.
• To assess user satisfaction and adherence to the mobile intervention.
• To explore the feasibility of using mobile technology for widespread mental health support.

Main Methods:

• Developed a 9-week automated intervention using 15 key messages from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Delivered messages via text, video, and cartoons twice daily, supplemented by a mobile website.
• Conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing the intervention to an attention control group in New Zealand high schools.

Main Results:

• Over three-quarters of participants engaged with at least half of the messages.
• 90.7% of intervention group participants would recommend the program to a friend.
• Significantly more participants in the intervention group reported increased positivity and reduced negative thoughts compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Key cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) messages can be effectively delivered via mobile phone to adolescents.
• Young people reported high satisfaction and perceived helpfulness of the mobile intervention.
• This scalable mobile health approach may be valuable in regions with limited mental health services, pending further effectiveness data.