Prevention of depression worldwide: a wake-up call

Findings from more than 30 randomised controlled trials have shown that depression can be prevented. 1 Muñoz RF Beardslee WR Leykin Y Major depression can be prevented. Am Psychol. 2012; 67: 285-295 Crossref PubMed Scopus (113) Google Scholar , 2 Muñoz RF Schueller SM Barrera AZ Le H-N Torres LD Major depression can be prevented: implications for research and practice. in: Gotlib IH Hammen CL Handbook of depression. 3rd edn. Guilford Press, New York, NY2014: 471-491 Google Scholar In The Lancet Psychiatry, Helen Christensen and colleagues' randomised controlled GoodNight Study 3 Christensen H Bathherman PJ Gosling JA et al. Effectiveness of an online insomnia program (SHUTi) for prevention of depressive episodes (the GoodNight Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016; (published online January 27.)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00536-2 Google Scholar challenges the field of prevention to consider paradigmatic changes regarding research into large-scale interventions. The study assesses the effectiveness of an online self-help insomnia programme (SHUTi), compared with an interactive attention placebo control (HealthWatch), for prevention of depression in patients with insomnia and depression symptoms. SHUTi significantly lowered depression symptoms, as assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, at both 6 weeks and 6 months compared with HealthWatch. Moreover, suicidal ideation was significantly reduced in the SHUTi group at 6 weeks, and anxiety, sleep, and disability improved at both 6 weeks and 6 month follow-up. Intentions to seek professional help for insomnia decreased more at 6 months in patients assigned to the SHUTi intervention than in those assigned to the HealthWatch program. Effectiveness of an online insomnia program (SHUTi) for prevention of depressive episodes (the GoodNight Study): a randomised controlled trialOnline cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia treatment is a practical and effective way to reduce depression symptoms and could be capable of reducing depression at the population level by use of a fully automatised system with the potential for wide dissemination. Full-Text PDF