iFightDepression

iFightDepression is a free online guided programme for the self-management of mild cases of depression for adults and adolescents, which was developed to help people manage themselves the symptoms of depression and promote their healing with the support of a trained mental healthcare professional. It is available in several European languages among which Greek.

There are sufficient research data available to claim that guided programmes are more effective in dealing with depression than programmes without supervision. Thus, guidance by mental healthcare professionals is key to the tool. The professionals will need to be sufficiently trained in the specific tool, and it is recommended to maintain personal contact (via phone or physical meeting) throughout the intervention. The tool is based on core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy which has been scientifically proven as
effective in treating depression.

The tool includes texts and graphs, clearly structured and written in simple language. Moreover, there is a questionnaire to keep track of mood changes, as well as exercise sheets for personal practice. It is comprised of 6 core workshops which users can work with at their own pace:
1. Thought, emotion, and behavior
2. Sleep and depression
3. How to plan and practice pleasant activities
4. How to finish your tasks
5. Recognition of negative thoughts
6. Switching away of negative thoughts

For adolescents and young adults, aged 15-24 years, there is an adapted version of the tool available, with special additional workshops focusing on interpersonal relations and social stress.

• If you cope with depression, you can use the tool – ideally, with the help of a mental healthcare professional who will be guiding you. The tool is accessible only to patients registered via a personal account. To be provided with access credentials and get more information on the tool, please contact ifd@epapsy.gr.
• If you are a healthcare professional and you are interested in applying the tool in the context of your practice, please contact d.galanis@epapsy.gr

Along the tool, the website www.ifightdepression.com aims at providing documented information regarding depression and suicidal behavior among the following groups:

• general public
• youngsters
• family and friends
• professionals in community-oriented services (media, teachers, priests, police officers etc.)
• healthcare professionals (doctors, pharmacists)

The website includes a variety of issues touching upon depression, e.g. its roots, symptoms, treatment options. It is available in several languages. Visitors to the website can fill in a self-assessment a questionnaire, provide feedback, get information on
help options in their region and other useful links, have access to a glossary of terms related to their condition as well as to specific informative material per region.

For mental healthcare professionals there is a relevant online training available in English.

The tool and the website are coordinated and developed by the European Alliance Against Depression. Both are deliverables of the research programme PREDI-NU (Preventing Depression and Improving Awareness through Networking in the EU) executed with European Union funding under the supervision of Professors Urlich Hegerl and Ella Arensman during 2011-2014.
Depression can be healed. Contact us at ifd@epapsy.gr