Youth Depression Prevention Program through ORCAS

[Erica Cutler]

This was submitted to OAMFT via email:

I work for the Oregon Center for Applied Science (ORCAS), which is a
public health research organization that develops interactive
multimedia programs to help people live healthier lives. With funding
from the National Institute of Mental Health, we have developed a fun
and educational program, Blues Blaster, to help prevent depression in
youth ages 11 to 15, and we are recruiting youth to participate in a
research study to help us evaluate the efficacy of the program. We
thought that OAMFT members might be interested in offering this
opportunity to the families and the youth with whom they work.



The Blues Blaster program is adapted from an empirically validated
intervention. It includes six cognitive behavioral therapy modules,
interactive and educational games, and additional content related to
youth depression. Youth who participate in this research study will
have the opportunity to learn new skills to help them feel better more
of the time.



Three hundred youth will be invited to participate in the paid
evaluation of this new program. Qualified youth must be 11 to 15 years
old, be able to understand written and spoken English, have access to
a computer with internet, and have some symptoms of mild depression.
The youth will be asked to view the program online and complete
several assessments online and over the phone. Qualified youth will
receive up to $120 for their participation.



If you are interested in getting additional information about this
project, please call 1-866-822-0226 or email nh...@orcasinc.com. For
more information about ORCAS, please visit our website: www.orcasinc.com.
Organizations providing recruitment assistance for this project will
receive free access to this evidence-based program after it has been
evaluated. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this
program, please feel free to send them this email.



Thank you so much.



Sincerely,



Nicole Holt, MPH
Research Assistant II

Oregon Center for Applied Science