Evaluating a Mobile App for Students Seeking Care for Depression and Anxiety at Harvard University Health Services
Depression, Anxiety
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Depression, Anxiety
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants will be required to be Harvard students, 18 years old or older, own a smartphone with Wi-Fi or 3G/4G capabilities and have a triage appointment scheduled with Harvard Counseling and Mental Health. Those meeting basic eligibility requirements will also complete screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale to determine final eligibility and obtain baseline assessment. A PHQ-9 score of 5 or greater, or a score of 2 or greater on PHQ item 10 (indicating that they felt disabled in their life because of their mood) or a GAD-7 score of 8 or greater will be required for enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria: Those who score less than 5 on PHQ-9 or less than 8 on the GAD-7 during study screening will be excluded from the study and sent an automated message with information to contact HUHS CAMHS if their symptoms worsen and they need to be seen urgently.
*Participants with a PHQ-9 suicide item score of 1 or more will not be excluded from the study but will receive an automated message with information to call HUHS urgent care if they are feeling at risk of harm to themselves or others. Study staff will also notify CAMHS staff within one business day so that a member of staff can reach out to the participant and check in about scheduling an urgent care appointment.
Sites / Locations
- Harvard University Health Services
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
App 1 Study group (7cups)
App 2 Study Group (Bliss
Participants assigned to this group will be assigned a behavioral intervention, the mobile app ("7cups") which allows participants access to direct online social support via the app.
Participants assigned to this group will be assigned to a behavioral intervention, the mobile app (" Bliss ") which provides participants an informational app about mental health resources at Harvard.