(PS3-42) Reducing Barriers to Empirically-Supported Intervention: Findings from a Statewide, Lay-delivered Behavioral Activation Telehealth Program for Adolescent Depression

Adolescent depression is public health crisis; however, over half of U.S. youth with major depression report that they did not receive mental health services. Behavioral Activation (BA) is treatment that has been found to be efficacious for adolescent depression, and the use of lay interventionists serves as an unstudied, promising avenue to increase adolescent access to BA.

Activ8 is a BA program that is developmentally adapted for adolescents (ages 12 - 18 years old) with depression and is conducted by lay interventionists. Activ8 seeks to reduce barriers to adherence through a brief, telehealth format. Activ8 is delivered at 11 Health Related Institutions (HRIs) across the state of Texas, encompassing rural and urban areas. To date, 65 participants have been enrolled and 37 have completed participation in the program (73% Female, 73% White, 33% Hispanic). Adolescents and their participating caregivers completed reported on the adolescent's depression symptoms (PHQ-A) and activity level (BAD-SF) at each weekly intervention session. A subset of adolescents and their caregivers (18 adolescents; 20 caregivers) also completed a post-intervention feedback survey at program completion.

The adolescents and their caregivers reported decreases in PHQ-A (child D M = -2.86; caregiver D M = -4.00) and increases in BAD-SF (child D M = 4.06; caregiver D M = 4.50) from intake to the last visit. However, most participants reported depression symptoms in the mild range at intake, limiting potential improvement in depression symptoms. Most participants completed all eight sessions (68%; M = 6.7 sessions).  Feedback surveys showed that most caregivers and adolescents reported that Activ8 improved the adolescent’s depression (adolescent = 63%; caregiver = 74%) and improved their activity level (adolescent = 89%; caregivers = 84%). Almost all caregivers reported their involvement in Activ8 sessions was helpful (89%). Overall, preliminary data from Activ8 suggests promising feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness.