Developing technology to reduce depression in young people

Teenagers are the least likely age group to seek professional help for their mental health.

They will look online, but evidence-based digital mental health tools for young people were lacking. The Foundation has supported Black Dog Institute – a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders – since 2015. Since 2020, our significant investment has funded the successful development of the ClearlyMe® mobile app - the world’s first free app to deliver evidence-based therapy for youth depression. 

Designed for teens by teens, the app delivers cognitive behavioural therapy to reduce depressive symptoms and improve wellbeing. A clinical  trial of over 550 Australian adolescents showing depressive symptoms were positive, with the trajectory of mental illness throughout a person’s life likely to be changed by targeting the critical risk window of adolescence. 

Our funding is helping the ClearlyMe® program to reach at least 50,000 young people who need it most. Foundation support is also going to a ‘blended care’ program, co-designed with healthcare professionals, that will combine person-to-person therapy with the ClearlyMe® intervention.