The National Suicide Research Foundation recently held an Information Evening in the River Lee Hotel, Cork, entitled; "What's New in Suicide and Self-harm Research in Ireland?" Dr. Celine Larkin, Research Psychologist and Project Co-ordinator with the NSRF, discussed an exciting new internet-based guided self-management tool for mild to moderate depression. This is a part of the overall aims of the PREDI-NU Project. Visit: www.predi-nu.eu/ For more information, contact: c.larkin@ucc.ie +353 (0)21 420 5551 www.nsrf.ie

1. National Suicide Research Foundation
Information Evening 28th November 2013
Self-management strategies in mild to
moderate depression
The internet-based iFightDepression tool
Dr Celine Larkin
National Suicide Research Foundation
Prof Ella Arensman, Prof Ulrich Hegerl, and Consortium of
representatives from 12 European centres

2. Outline
• What is depression?
• Self-management of mild to moderate
depression
• The PREDI-NU project & the iFightDepression
tool
• Other self-management resources

3. The Iceberg
Suicide
ca. 550.
Deliberate
self harm
Medically-treated
ca. 12,000 p.a
“Hidden” cases of
Deliberate self harm
ca. 60,000 p.a.
iFightDepression
self-management
tool for mild to
moderate
depression

4. What causes depression?
PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS
Vulnerability
e.g. negative life
experience,
personality
Triggers
e.g. acute psychosocial burden, stress
Therapy
Psychotherapy
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS
e.g. genetic factors
e.g. hyperactivity of the
axis of stress hormones
Pharmacotherapy

5. How is depression
diagnosed?
Feelings of guilt
and
worthlessness
Sleep
disturbances
Suicidal
thoughts/suicidal
behaviour
Decrease in
energy
Lower selfesteem and selfconfidence
Lowering of
mood
Change in
appetite
Loss of interest
Reduced
concentration
Change in
psychomotor
activity

6. What is self-management?
‘…involves engaging in activities that protect and promote health…
…monitoring and managing the symptoms and signs of illness…
…managing the impact of illness on
functioning, emotions and interpersonal
relationships…
…and adhering to
treatment
regimes.’
(Centre for Advancement of Health, 1996)

7. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• A type of psychotherapy
• Focuses on “here and now”
Computerised CBT is …
•
effective in reducing depressive
symptoms & improving diagnostic status
•
equally effective to therapist-led CBT
•
more effective than treatment as usual
and bibliotherapy
•
more effective in guided interventions
than non-guided cCBT interventions
•
more effective for people with mild to
moderate depression than for those
with major/severe depression

8. How does a person with
depression think?
“I can never do
anything right”
Self
“Life is lousy- I
don’t seem to enjoy
anything anymore”
World
Negative
thoughts
“Things aren’t
going to get
better”
Future

9. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

10. The PREDI-NU project

11. The iFightDepression Tool

12. Expected Outcomes
Increased uptake of support options by young people and
adults with mild to moderate depression
Increased uptake of support options by men who otherwise
may not receive support
Increased awareness of depression among health
professionals which will contribute to early identification of
depression and the prevention of suicidal behavior
Diffusion of effects throughout Europe through awareness
website, which will be made available in nine languages

13. Progress in 2013
 Currently improving tool, training
& procedures
 Carried out focus groups evaluations
of the pilot tool
 Disseminated the project at scientific
conferences
 Implemented the tool in ten centres and
practices in Cork
 Delivered three-hour training sessions to 19 GPs and
MHPs
 Completed a pilot version of the iFightDepression selfmanagement tool for mild to moderate depression

14. Feedback from Focus Groups
Health care professional: “There was less pressure on him,
Client: “Those trackers and stuff – that’s something new and
Client: “I’d been looking for a way to track these things
because he could do it […] he could have a cup of tea while he
Client: I really you can efficient”
something“I wouldbenefitted fromsee why you are thesceptical
[sleep/mood] andfind very kinda that and I’m a very way you
was doing it”
person – I’m not into psychotherapy and it... but this really
are… that for me is on my…the strength of stuffyou can do this
kinda stuff” all my thoughts you know. So if you get a chance to
challenged
do it person to person then I totally recommended it. But if
they don’t have the resources this is the next best thing almost.
It is worthwhile”

15. Interested in self-management?
• If you are a GP or mental health professional:
– Tel 021 4205547; Email: c.larkin@ucc.ie
• If you are experiencing mild to moderate depression
and are interested in self-management:
– Local self-help groups e.g. Aware
– Other internet-based programmes
– Bibliotherapy

16. Thank you!
The PREDI-Nu consortium at its 5th meeting in Innsbruck (2013)