Single-Session Intervention to Help Adolescent Depression in Mozambican Clinics
Official title: Single Session Intervention and Interpersonal Therapy for Adolescent Depression in Mozambican Primary Care Clinics: A Hybrid Effectiveness/Implementation Cluster Randomized Trial
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11421506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $569,372 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137289-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents in Mozambique who screen positive for depression and are receiving care in primary clinic settings.
✕Less likely to help
Adolescents who do not screen positive for depression or who prefer not to engage in mental health services.
What this research studies
This project tests a one-session approach called Project Personality to help depressed teens in primary care clinics in Mozambique, using a cluster randomized design to compare immediate rollout versus usual care. It also examines how best to implement this approach in real clinics, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. The study partners with local clinics and non-specialist staff to deliver the intervention after depression screening, and it tracks depression outcomes as well as engagement in longer-term mental health services. Results will inform how to scale single-session strategies in resource-limited, real-world health systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce depressive symptoms and increase engagement with follow-up care for adolescents who may not access multi-session therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials show that single-session interventions can reduce symptoms in adolescents and improve engagement, but real-world implementation data are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lovero, Kathryn Lynn — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lovero, Kathryn Lynn
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.
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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.
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Behavioral telehealth for anxious and depressed youth in low-resource clinics
A short, friendly program uses telehealth to help kids 8 and up in low-resource primary care settings feel less anxious and sad.
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.