In the midst of a mental health crisis among young people, a groundbreaking cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) app has emerged as a cost-effective and scalable solution to prevent increases in depression. The University of Exeter spearheaded a pioneering project that tested the efficacy of a CBT self-help app on a large scale across four countries, yielding promising results.
Two papers published in Lancet Digital Health detailed the ECoWeB-PREVENT and ECoWeB-PROMOTE trials, which were part of a comprehensive four-year Horizon 2020-funded study. This research demonstrated that the CBT app could effectively shield vulnerable young individuals from the clutches of depression. Professor Ed Watkins, leading the project, expressed optimism about the app’s potential impact, stating,
“For young people at risk, our findings indicate that the CBT app can prevent depression and offer significant public health benefits. Participants reported improved quality of life and better work and social functioning.”
The study involved 3,700 participants aged 16 to 22 from the UK, Germany, Belgium, and Spain, making it one of the largest trials of its kind. Participants were categorized based on their emotional competence levels, with a focus on individuals at higher risk of depression and those at lower risk. Each group was randomly assigned one of three apps: a self-monitoring app for tracking emotions, a self-help app centered on emotional competence, and a self-help app rooted in CBT principles. Results were evaluated at three and 12 months.
The trials evidenced that the CBT app effectively averted an upsurge in depression among the high-risk group. Conversely, there was no discernible variance in outcomes among the interventions for the lower-risk group. Professor Watkins highlighted the importance of targeted interventions, stating,
“Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of prevention strategies for depression when tailored to individuals at higher risk. This identification process can be facilitated through online self-screening or professional referrals.”
Remarkably, even sporadic usage of the self-help app yielded meaningful benefits for participants. Watkins emphasized the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the app, underscoring its potential as a valuable public health intervention amidst a spectrum of digital and in-person services.
Recently, a comprehensive review conducted by MQ in collaboration with premier institutions like Melbourne University, Harvard University’s Digital Psychiatry Institute, and the Oxford Internet Institute explored the impact of the internet on youth mental health. The report sheds light on both the positive and negative effects, offering valuable insights for the future.
