Reducing the treatment gap for depression in low and middle income countries.
Official title: IMPlementation of evidence based facility and community interventions to reduce the treatment gap for depRESSion (IMPRESS)
Funded at London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine · NIH-11089572 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people in Goa, India, who are struggling with depression by testing new ways to make mental health care more accessible and effective, using community support and short treatments from trained health workers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $354,362 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH115504-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11089572 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in low and middle income countries who are experiencing symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing depressive symptoms or who reside in high-income countries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the significant treatment gap for depression in low and middle income countries, particularly in Goa, India. It will implement evidence-based interventions both in healthcare facilities and community settings to enhance access to mental health care. The project will utilize a hybrid cluster randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of a community intervention alongside a brief psychological treatment delivered by non-specialist health workers. By increasing awareness and demand for treatment, the research seeks to improve outcomes for individuals suffering from depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to effective depression treatment for patients in low and middle income countries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing community-based interventions to improve mental health treatment access, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
London, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nadkarni, Abhijit — London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Study coordinator: Nadkarni, Abhijit
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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.