Reducing the treatment gap for depression in low and middle income countries.

IMPlementation of evidence based facility and community interventions to reduce the treatment gap for depRESSion (IMPRESS)

NIH-funded research London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine · NIH-11089572

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLondon Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (London, United Kingdom)
Project IDNIH-11089572 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in low and middle income countries who are experiencing symptoms of depression.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing depressive symptoms or who reside in high-income countries may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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, United Kingdom

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.