Primary Care Internet Based Depression Prevention for Adolescents (CATCH-IT) Also Known as Promoting AdolescenT Health (CATCH-IT)
Major Depression, Depressive Episodes

About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Major Depression focused on measuring depression, prevention, teen, at risk, internet
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Adolescents:
(A) Youth ages 13 through 18 who are English speaking. (B) Youth must be experiencing elevated level of depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale (score >/= 16). (C) Youth will be included if they have a past history of depression, anxiety, externalizing symptoms, or substance abuse. Youth presenting in partial remission from a major depressive episode at Baseline will be rescreened after 2 months utilizing the phone screen to ensure episode is fully remitted prior to randomization or access to study intervention. Those who do not fully remit after two months will be excluded.
Parents:
*Parent of eligible adolescents
Physicians (PCP) or NP:
*Physician in any of the study sites
Healthcare Professionals:
*Primary care practice for a minimum of 6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
Adolescents:
- Current DSM-IV diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
- Current therapy for depression, or be taking antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, bupropion, nefazodone, mirtazapine, venlafaxine);
- Current CES-D score >35;
- DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia (current or past) or bipolar affective disorder;
- Current serious medical illness that causes significant disability or dysfunction;
- Significant reading impairment (a minimum sixth-grade reading level based on parental report), mental retardation, or developmental disabilities;
- Serious imminent suicidal risk (as determined by endorsement of current suicide on CES-D or in KSADS interview) or other conditions that may require immediate psychiatric hospitalization
- Psychotic features or disorders, or currently be receiving psychotropic medication
- Extreme, current drug/alcohol abuse (greater than or equal to 2 on the CRAFFT).
Parents:
- Ineligible child
- Non-English speaking
Physicians:
*None
Healthcare Professionals:
*None
Sites / Locations
- ACCESS Healthcare Systems
- University of Illinois
- Northshore Healthcare Systems
- Advocate Health Care
- Children's Clinic
- Franciscan St. Margaret Health
- Wellesley Center for Women
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
CATCH-IT
Health Education
200 randomized teens 13-18 year old (inclusive) will be enrolled into the online program that contains 14 modules focused various therapeutic techniques, a booster session of 6 modules at the end of the online program and three 15 minute visits with their primary care doctor to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the program. Parents will also be invited to participant in a partnering online program involving 4 modules online and 1 optional module. They will be asked to then participate in three 15 minute interviews with a member of the study team to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the program.
200 randomized teens, ages 13-18 year old (inclusive) receiving an online program with 14 modules that focus on general health education, depression, diet, exercise, hygiene and safety. Parents will also be invited to participate in an online program with 4 modules that also focus on general health education.