BRISBANE, Australia, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- A University of Queensland researcher is offering depression sufferers across Australia a free, at-home confidential treatment program.
"The yearlong program is for adults who are not depressed at the moment, but who have had repeated bouts of depression," said UQ psychology Professor David Kavanagh, who is working with researchers from the Universities of Wollongong and Canberra.
"People who volunteer for the program, called 'On Track', receive a series of letters or emails with advice on how to stay well. The letters help them stay in control by creating individualized plans. They send back information on what they have tried, and how they are feeling," explained Kavanagh.
"We will give them feedback on their progress, and access to a toll-free telephone line for additional assistance," he said. "We also keep their doctors informed."
The program avoids the need for face-to-face appointments that can be expensive and time-consuming -- especially for people living in rural areas.
"The program is based on a model that we have shown is successful in helping people take control of alcohol problems," Kavanagh said, noting depression affects more than one in six Australians at least once during their lifetime.
