Anchored: smartphone-based depression prevention in the workplace

Development and evaluation of a depression prevention app in employed adults.

Anchored is a smartphone application designed to improve depression and wellbeing outcomes in working populations experiencing stress. It is based on the HeadGear app, which was developed by our research team for workers in male-dominated industries and found to be effective in preventing depression and improving a range of mental health and work-related outcomes. Anchored builds on this prior research by adapting the HeadGear app for a general working population.

The Anchored clinical content is delivered through a 30-day intervention in which users are taught to practice a variety of healthy coping and wellbeing practices centred around mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques. Anchored has been evaluated in a pilot study as well as a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) with over 2900 working Australian adults from a range of industries. This research has shown that Anchored is suitable and acceptable for this population and has benefits including improving depression symptoms and related outcomes.

Objectives

To improve depression and wellbeing outcomes in Australian workers via delivery of digital mental health tools.

Impact

Over the past two years, we have: developed and trialled a new smartphone application (Anchored) to prevent depression in a stressed working population. This was based on the success of HeadGear, an app aimed at male-dominated industries.

Pilot testing (N = 81) of the app found to significant pre-post improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety, wellbeing, resilience, stress, and alcohol use. There were satisfactory levels of app usability, feasibility, and acceptability.

RCT data (N>2900) is currently being analysed.

Funding

Australian Government Department of Health through The Prevention Hub
iCare Foundation

Researchers

Publications

Collins, D., Harvey, S.B., Lavender, I., Glozier, N., Christensen, H., Deady, M. (2020). A pilot evaluation of a smartphone application for workplace depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 6753; doi:10.3390/ijerph17186753
Deady, M., Collins, D., Lavender, I., Mobbs, S., Mackinnon, A., Glozier, N., Bryant, R., Christensen, H., Harvey, S.B. (in prep). Preventing depression in stressed workers using a smartphone app: A randomized controlled trial