Creating a digital tool to help treat depression in teenagers
Official title: Developing a Digital Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Adolescent Depression Treatment in Primary Care
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11074566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful app called Sidekick that uses your smartphone and wearable devices to keep track of your sleep and activity, so it can offer support to teens dealing with depression when they need it most.
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 | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $719,514 |
| NIH project number | 5R61MH132809-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074566 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder who may benefit from innovative digital interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those without a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a digital intervention called Sidekick to support adolescents suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) in primary care settings. By utilizing smartphones and wearable devices, the intervention will monitor sleep patterns and physical activity levels, providing timely support when needed. The project will involve optimizing algorithms and conducting user testing to ensure the tool effectively engages adolescents and addresses their mental health needs. The goal is to create a scalable solution that can be easily integrated into existing healthcare practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide adolescents with a more accessible and effective way to manage their depression and improve their overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using digital tools for mental health interventions, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenness, Jessica Lynne — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jenness, Jessica Lynne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Single-session intervention and interpersonal therapy for teen depression in Mozambican clinics
A pilot, real-world trial tests if a one-visit program plus coaching helps depressed teens in Mozambique access care and feel better.
-
Shared Decision Making for Depression Care in Primary Care
A practical program to help adults with depression in primary care discuss treatment options with their doctors more clearly and together.
-
Single-Session Intervention to Help Adolescent Depression in Mozambican Clinics
A one-visit intervention delivered by non-specialists aims to reduce depression symptoms for adolescents in Mozambican primary care, with implementation in real-world clinic settings.
-
ETUDES: Improving Care for Suicidal Youth in Pediatric Primary Care
A center-led effort to help pediatric primary care teams better detect, triage, and manage suicidal thoughts and behaviors in teens.
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Matching primary care patients to the best depression treatment
This project uses routine information from primary care patients with moderate to severe depression to match them to either an antidepressant or a brief behavioral therapy so more people get better.
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Personalizing depression treatment in primary care
This project uses patient information and machine learning to match adults with moderate to severe depression in primary care to the antidepressant or brief behavioral therapy most likely to help them.
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.