The University of Melbourne is launching 'Mood Memos', a study exploring a method of preventing depression through the Internet.  The study is targeted to people experiencing some depression symptoms who are not yet too severe, with the aim of averting depression or relapse.

The Mood Memos study will trial the effectiveness of an email-based mental health promotion for depression symptoms.  Emails will be delivered every few days for 6 weeks, bringing expert coping advice and information about depression directly to email in-boxes.

The study is open to participants from around the world who are 18 years and over until November 2010.  The study is ideal for those who have some symptoms of depression but aren't being treated and want to know more about depression and how to help themselves feel better.  All data is confidential and participants can remain anonymous.  Recruitment to the study is via the website www.moodmemos.com, or you get more information by email to info@moodmemos.com.

Why Mood Memos?

Depression symptoms are commonly experienced and disrupt day-to-day life.  They also heighten the risk of developing major depression.  Increasing depression literacy and use of effective self-help methods could improve depression across the community.  The Internet is an ideal promotional medium as it is often used to search for information about mental health issues, and health messages can be widely disseminated at little cost.

The Mood Memos study is funded by NHMRC and the Sidney Myer Fund and has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Melbourne, Australia.  The study forms part of a PhD project by Amy Morgan and is supervised by Professor Tony Jorm and Professor Andrew Mackinnon.