PolicyLab

Statement of Problem

Adolescent depression has become a major public health concern as it grows in prevalence and we learn more about its associated adverse outcomes, such as suicide, educational underachievement and mental health issues later in life. Therefore, there is a critical need for the development and implementation of depression prevention programs, particularly in schools where youth are most likely to receive mental health services. School-based programs have the potential to prevent depression, promote healthy development and maximize school success.

One such program is Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training (IPT-AST), a prevention intervention that teaches students communication and interpersonal problem-solving strategies to decrease conflict, increase support, and improve social functioning, vulnerability and protective factors for depression. Importantly, IPT-AST has proven to be highly acceptable among students, and has demonstrated robust effects. In three randomized controlled trials in middle and high schools, IPT-AST delivered by research clinicians was shown to be effective at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, improving functioning, and promoting positive school outcomes, more so than usual school counseling and counselor-led groups that matched IPT-AST in frequency and length of sessions. Based on this research, IPT-AST has been classified as a promising Blueprints program.

Mental health care delivery has changed quickly and dramatically as a result of COVID-19, with the majority of services being delivered remotely through digital health. As we begin to think about school-based services in the coming years, we have an opportunity to apply lessons learned from recent growth and innovation in digital health and to study the acceptability and efficacy of school-based mental health interventions, such as IPT-AST, when delivered through telehealth.