A digital program to help prevent depression during and after pregnancy
Official title: IMAGINE: pilot trial of a digital group intervention to prevent perinatal depression
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11031424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly online program called IMAGINE that helps pregnant people and new parents prevent depression by using helpful techniques on their phones, making it easier for them to get support when they need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $259,659 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH131571-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or new parents who are at risk of experiencing perinatal depression, particularly those from low-income or minority backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who do not have children may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a digital group intervention called IMAGINE, aimed at preventing perinatal depression among pregnant individuals and new parents. The program utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy techniques delivered through mobile technology, making it accessible to those who may face barriers to traditional in-person therapy. By engaging participants in a supportive online environment, the intervention seeks to improve mental health outcomes for both parents and their children. The study will assess the effectiveness of this approach in reaching at-risk populations who may struggle with accessing conventional mental health services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of perinatal depression, improving the mental health of parents and the well-being of their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that digital interventions can be effective in delivering mental health support, suggesting that this approach may hold promise for preventing perinatal depression.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ronen, Keshet — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Ronen, Keshet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A new, family-focused program helps new mothers and their husbands address perinatal depression in rural India using trained lay counselors.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A pilot program in rural India tests a couples-based, lay-counselor–delivered approach to prevent perinatal depression for new mothers and their partners.
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Machine learning to tailor and prevent perinatal depression for pregnant and new mothers
A machine learning project at Carnegie Mellon aims to find personalized, scalable ways to prevent perinatal depression in pregnant people and new mothers.
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Online sleep therapy to prevent depression during and after pregnancy
This project will see whether an online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can help prevent depression during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth for pregnant people with insomnia.
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Understanding how gut and body signals interact to influence perinatal depression
A study of pregnant people exploring how the gut microbiome and body signals contribute to depression during and after pregnancy.
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Couples program to prevent depression during pregnancy and after birth in rural India
A couples-based program to help first-time pregnant women and their partners in rural India lower the chance of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.