Creating a text messaging program to help prevent depression in pregnant individuals
Official title: Development of a Text Intervention for Perinatal Depression
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10874712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful text messaging program designed to support pregnant people and new parents dealing with depression, making it easier for them to get the care and encouragement they need right on their phones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,359 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH130934-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874712 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 for or experiencing symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who do not have any symptoms of depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a text messaging intervention aimed at reducing perinatal depression among pregnant individuals and new parents. It recognizes that about 1 in 7 pregnant individuals experience depression, which can negatively impact both maternal and infant health. By utilizing principles from established therapies and peer support, the program seeks to enhance self-efficacy and provide accessible support through technology. Participants will receive proactive health information and therapeutic interventions via text messages, making it easier for them to engage with mental health resources.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of perinatal depression, leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and their infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that technology-based interventions can be effective in improving mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yonkers, Kimberly a — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Yonkers, Kimberly a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
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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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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.