Background The prevalence of depression is high and has been stable despite increased treatment, research, and dissemination. People encounter barriers to seeking traditional mental health services, which could be mitigated by using web-based prevention methods. Objective This study aims to understand what people at high risk for depression perceive as effective aspects of web-based mental health programs and what motivates people at high risk for depression to use web-based mental health programs. Methods We conducted an inductive content analysis using telephone interview data from 77 participants at high risk for depression who were recruited from 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Participants from the first RCT were working men who had been randomly assigned to 1 of the following 3 groups: control group, who had access to general depression information from a website called BroMatters; intervention group 1, who had access to the BroMatters website along with the associated BroHealth web-based mental health program; and intervention group 2, who had access to the BroMatters website, the BroHealth web-based mental health program, and telephone sessions with a life coach. Participants from the second RCT were men and women who had been assigned to the intervention group, who received access to the HardHat web-based mental health program, or the control group, who only received access to the HardHat web-based mental health program following completion of the RCT. Participants for this inductive content analysis study were recruited from the intervention groups in both RCTs. Two groups of participants (n=41 and n=20) were recruited from the BroHealth RCT, and a third group comprised 16 participants that were recruited from the HardHat RCT. Results We generated four categories regarding the perceived effectiveness of web-based programs and five categories related to what motivates the use of web-based programs. Participants identified awareness, program medium and functionality, program content, and coaches as categories related to the effectiveness of the programs. Categories of motivators to use web-based programs included providing reminders or incentives, promotion of the programs, providing appropriate medium and functionality, appropriate content, and perceived need. The final category related to motivators reflects perceptions of participants who were either unsure about what motivates them or believed that there is no way to motivate use. Conclusions Conflicting evidence was obtained regarding the perceived effectiveness of aspects of the content and functionality of web-based programs. In general, web-based mental health programs were perceived to help increase mental health awareness, especially when it includes live access to a coach. However, the results also revealed that it is difficult to motivate people to begin using web-based mental health programs. Strategies that may motivate the use of such programs include perceived personal need, effective promotion, providing incentives and reminders, and improving functionality.

Background Depression has a profound impact on population health. Although using web-based mental health programs to prevent depression has been found to be effective in decreasing depression incidence, there are obstacles preventing their use, as reflected by the low rates of use and adherence. Objective The aims of the study are to understand the barriers to using web-based mental health programs for the prevention of depression and the possible dangers or concerns regarding the use of such programs. Methods BroMatters and HardHat were two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of e–mental health programs for preventing workplace depression. In the BroMatters RCT, only working men who were at high risk of having a major depressive episode were included. The participants were assigned to either the control group or 1 of 2 intervention groups. The control participants had access to the general depression information on the BroMatters website. Intervention group 1 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth—the depression prevention program. Intervention group 2 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth along with weekly access to a qualified coach through telephone calls. The HardHat trial targeted both men and women at high risk of having a major depressive episode. The participants in the intervention group were given access to the HardHat depression prevention program (which included a web-based coach), whereas HardHat access was only granted to the control group once the study was completed. This qualitative study recruited male participants from the intervention groups of the two RCTs. A total of 2 groups of participants were recruited from the BroMatters study (after a baseline interview: n=41; 1 month after the RCT: n=20; 61/744, 8.2%), and 1 group was recruited from the HardHat RCT 1 month after the initial quantitative interview (9/103, 8.7%). Semistructured interviews were performed with the participants (70/847, 8.3%) and analyzed using content analysis. Results There were both personal and program-level barriers to program use. The three personal barriers included time, stress level, and the perception of depression prevention. Content, functionality, and dangers were the program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. Large amounts of text and functionality issues within the programs decreased participants’ engagement. The dangers associated with web-based mental health programs included privacy breaches and inadequate help for severe symptoms. Conclusions There are personal and program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. The stigmatization of help seeking for depression symptoms affects the time spent on the program, as does the public perception of depression. Certain barriers may be mitigated by program updates, whereas others may require a complete shift in the perception of depression prevention.

Background Multivariable risk algorithms (MVRP) predicting the personal risk of depression will form an important component of personalized preventive interventions. However, it is unknown whether providing personalized depression risk will lead to unintended psychological harms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of providing personalized depression risk on non-specific psychological distress and functional impairment over 12 months. Methods A mixed-methods randomized controlled trial was conducted in 358 males and 354 females who were at high risk of having a major depressive episode according to sex-specific MVRPs, and who were randomly recruited across Canada. Participants were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results Over 93% of participants were interested in knowing their depression risk. The intervention group had a greater reduction in K10 score over 12 months than the control group; complete-case analysis found a significant between-group difference in mean K10 change score (d = 1.17, 95% CI 0.12–2.23) at 12 months. Participants in the intervention group also reported significantly less functional impairment in the domains of home and work/school activities, than did those in the control group. A majority of the qualitative interviewees commented that personalized depression risk information does not have a negative impact on physical and mental health. Conclusions This study found no evidence that providing personalized depression risk information will lead to worsening psychological distress, functional impairment, and absenteeism. Provision of personalized depression risk information may have positive impacts on non-specific psychological distress and functioning. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02943876

Objectives To evaluate the impact of providing personalized depression risk information on self‐help and help‐seeking behaviors among individuals who are at high risk of having a major depressive episode (MDE). Materials and Methods In a mixed methods randomized controlled trial, participants who were at high risk of having a MDE, were recruited from across Canada, and were randomized into intervention (n = 358) and control (n = 354) groups. Participants in the intervention group received their personalized depression risk estimated by sex‐specific risk prediction models for MDE. All participants were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results Repeated measure mixed effects modeling showed significant between group differences in self‐help scores. In the complete case analysis, the between group difference in mean self‐help change score was 1.13 at 12 months (effect size = 0.16). Among participants who reported “fair” or “poor health,” the between group difference in mean self‐help change score was 2.78 at 12 months (effect size = 0.35). The qualitative data revealed three themes and the findings are consistent with the quantitative results. Conclusions Providing personalized depression risk information has a positive impact on self‐help in high‐risk individuals, particularly in those with poor health.

BACKGROUND Depression has a profound impact on population health. Although using web-based mental health programs to prevent depression has been found to be effective in decreasing depression incidence, there are obstacles preventing their use, as reflected by the low rates of use and adherence. OBJECTIVE The aims of the study are to understand the barriers to using web-based mental health programs for the prevention of depression and the possible dangers or concerns regarding the use of such programs. METHODS BroMatters and HardHat were two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of e–mental health programs for preventing workplace depression. In the BroMatters RCT, only working men who were at high risk of having a major depressive episode were included. The participants were assigned to either the control group or 1 of 2 intervention groups. The control participants had access to the general depression information on the BroMatters website. Intervention group 1 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth—the depression prevention program. Intervention group 2 had access to BroMatters and BroHealth along with weekly access to a qualified coach through telephone calls. The HardHat trial targeted both men and women at high risk of having a major depressive episode. The participants in the intervention group were given access to the HardHat depression prevention program (which included a web-based coach), whereas HardHat access was only granted to the control group once the study was completed. This qualitative study recruited male participants from the intervention groups of the two RCTs. A total of 2 groups of participants were recruited from the BroMatters study (after a baseline interview: n=41; 1 month after the RCT: n=20; 61/744, 8.2%), and 1 group was recruited from the HardHat RCT 1 month after the initial quantitative interview (9/103, 8.7%). Semistructured interviews were performed with the participants (70/847, 8.3%) and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS There were both personal and program-level barriers to program use. The three personal barriers included time, stress level, and the perception of depression prevention. Content, functionality, and dangers were the program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. Large amounts of text and functionality issues within the programs decreased participants’ engagement. The dangers associated with web-based mental health programs included privacy breaches and inadequate help for severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS There are personal and program-level barriers to the use of web-based mental health programs. The stigmatization of help seeking for depression symptoms affects the time spent on the program, as does the public perception of depression. Certain barriers may be mitigated by program updates, whereas others may require a complete shift in the perception of depression prevention.

Objective: The objective was to identify helpful, feasible strategies that can be implemented by working men to decrease work-related stress. Methods: An international Delphi consensus study was conducted with four panels of stakeholders. Three rounds of surveys were sent to panellists who rated the helpfulness and feasibility of strategies. Strategies were considered to have reached consensus if 80+% of at least three panels “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the strategies were helpful or feasible. Results: Eighty-one strategies reached consensus out of a total 127 for helpfulness in decreasing work-related stress. Eleven strategies did not reach consensus in any of the vignettes. Only two strategies reached consensus for feasibility. Conclusion: While many strategies are perceived as helpful for decreasing workplace stress, the feasibility of the strategies likely depends on an individual's particular needs and context.

Objectives To understand users’ perceptions about receiving their personalized depression risk score and to gain an understanding about how to improve the efficiency of risk communication from the user perspective. Methods A qualitative study embedded in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on evaluating the impact of providing personalized depression risk information on psychological harms and benefits. The participants (20 males and 20 females) were randomly selected from the intervention arm of the RCT after the 12-month assessment. The qualitative interviews were conducted through telephone, audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. We conducted a content analysis to describe the content and contextual meaning of data collected from participants. Results The first theme explained the motivation for receiving a risk score. Most participants chose to receive their personalised depression risk score with the goal of improving their self-awareness. The results revealed three sub-themes surrounding perceptions and implication of receiving their risk score: positive, negative, and neutral. Most participants found that receiving their score was positive because it improved their awareness of their mental health, but some participants could see that some people would have negative feelings when getting the score causing them to be more likely to get depression. The final theme focussed on improvements including: the best delivery methods, having resources and strategies, and targeting younger people. Conclusion The most significant motivation for, and benefit of receiving one’s personalized depression risk score was improved awareness of one’s mental health. A comprehensive risk communication program may improve the uptake and maximize the impact on behavior changes and risk reduction.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of depression is high and has been stable despite increased treatment, research and dissemination. People encounter barriers to seeking traditional mental health services such as in person cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy. These barriers could be mitigated by using web-based prevention methods. Researchers have provided evidence of the effectiveness of web-based methods for preventing depression. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to understand a) what people at high risk for depression perceive as effective aspects of web-based mental health programs and b) what would motivate people at high risk for depression to use web-based mental health programs. METHODS Methods: We conducted an inductive content analysis using telephone interview data from 77 participants at high risk for depression who were recruited from two randomized controlled trials (RCT). Participants from the first RCT were working men who had been randomly assigned to one of three groups: Control Group who had access to general depression information from a website called BroMatters; Intervention Group 1 who had access to the BroMatters website along with the associated BroHealth web-based mental health program; and Intervention Group 2 who had access to the BroMatters website, the BroHealth web-based mental health program, and telephone sessions with a life coach. Participants from the second RCT were men and women who had been assigned to the intervention group who received access to HardHat web-based mental health program, or the Control Group who only received access to the HardHat web-based mental health program following completion of the RCT. Participants for this inductive content analysis study were recruited from the intervention groups in both RCTs. Two groups were recruited from the BroHealth RCT (n = 41+20= 61) and a third group from the HardHat RCT (n = 16). RESULTS Results: We generated four categories regarding the perceived effectiveness of web-based programs and five categories related to what motivates use of web-based programs. Participants identified awareness, program medium/ functionality, program content, and coaches as categories related to the effectiveness of the programs. Categories of motivators to use web-based programs included: providing reminders or incentives, promotion of the programs, providing appropriate medium and functionality, and appropriate content/ perceived need. The final category related to motivators reflects perceptions of participants who were either unsure about what would motivate them or believed that there is no way to motivate use. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: Conflicting evidence was obtained regarding the perceived effectiveness of aspects of the content and functionality of web-based programs. In general, web-based mental health programs were perceived to help increase mental health awareness, especially when it includes live access to a coach. However, results also revealed that it is difficult, and perhaps even impossible, to motivate people to begin using web-based mental health programs. Strategies that may motivate use of such programs include: effectively promoting the program, providing incentives and reminders, and improving functionality. Perceived personal need was also found to motivate use of web-based mental health programs. CLINICALTRIAL