Utilizing the Internet to deliver mental health self-help interventions to underserved populations in rural areas

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the knowledge necessary in developing effective Internet-based self-help programs for preventing mental health problems and new episodes. This will be accomplished through two complementary PhD sub -projects based on data from a randomized control trial assessing a state-of-the-art program for prevention of depression relative to characteristics of users, adherence and efficacy. The Internet-based self-help programs could in the future be offered as an unattended service as well a concept of therapy with minimal therapeutic assistance offered from the office of the local General Practitioner. Internet based intervention programs mostly make use of cognitive behaviour therapy to increase self-help a bility. One of the unique qualities the Internet can offer in terms of interventions is that the therapeutic changes can occur in an anonymous. In addition, Internet based services are usually available at all hours and can be accessed from the privacy of one?s own home. This implies that Internet services have a low threshold and possibly represents a low stress situation. The Internet-based self-help programs for promoting mental health and preventing depression is based on evidence-based facts about d epression and cognitive behavioural therapy. Internet-based interventions has a potential option for bridging service gaps with regard to the availability of specialized services to people experiencing geographic and mobility constraints, such as people l iving in rural and underserved communities, and people with disabilities. There will be recruited 380 participants through advertising. The target group is individuals 18?65 years of age with mild or moderate symptoms of depression, based on informed con sent. By random the volunteers are assigned to one of the intervention conditions (control condition, Internet intervention without follow-up, with tailored email follow-up, and with telephone-based follow-up)