NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Using network science to create personalized interventions for adolescent depression

Official title: Harnessing Network Science to Personalize Scalable Interventions for Adolescent Depression

Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10786569 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking to help teenagers aged 12 and up who are dealing with depression by letting them sign up for online support without needing their parents' permission, making it easier for them to get the help they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project startSeptember 14, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$283,584
NIH project number3DP5OD028123-05S1
Project IDNIH-10786569 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 21 who are experiencing symptoms of depression and are seeking mental health support.

Less likely to help

Patients who are younger than 12 years old or those who do not have access to the internet may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving access to mental health treatment for adolescents suffering from depression, particularly those who face barriers due to parental consent requirements. By allowing teens aged 12 and older to self-refer for online interventions without needing parental approval, the study aims to increase participation and diversity among participants. The approach includes testing online single-session interventions that have shown promise in reducing depression severity. The research also evaluates the impact of these policies on treatment accessibility and effectiveness.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to mental health care for adolescents, leading to better treatment outcomes for depression.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar approaches, particularly in trials that allowed adolescents to self-refer for mental health interventions.

Where this research is happening

  • Northwestern University at Chicago
    Chicago, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Schleider, Jessica Lee — Northwestern University at Chicago
  • Study coordinator: Schleider, Jessica Lee

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.