Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 12Years - 18Years
All Genders
ID06273995

Telehealth Behavioral Activation for Teens with Depression and Suicidal Ideation

Led by Baylor College of Medicine · Updated on 2025-07-20

250

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

39 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

B

Baylor College of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

U

University of Texas

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Rates of youth depression and suicide are increasing worldwide, posing a serious public health concern. This research focuses on teens aged 12 to 17 experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, who are already enrolled in the Youth Depression Suicide Network study in Texas. Behavioral activation, an approach based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, is being evaluated for its ability to help young people by encouraging engagement in meaningful and enjoyable activities to improve depressive symptoms. Participants will receive behavioral activation treatment delivered virtually over 8 to 10 weeks. This therapy involves psychoeducation and skill-building to increase involvement in activities like socializing, exercising, or hobbies. The treatment is designed to be brief and can be provided by trained clinicians or non-licensed interventionists. The study is led by Baylor College of Medicine. Participants will engage in weekly sessions lasting up to 10 weeks. Throughout treatment, researchers will assess depression symptoms using tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-modified for adolescents and the Behavioral Activation for Depression-Short Form. Other measures include the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Duke Social Support Index. The study monitors participants' progress and well-being through questionnaires before, during, and after treatment, supporting a total involvement period of about 11 weeks.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Telehealth Behavioral Activation for Teens

Who Can Participate

Age: 12Years - 18Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Participants must be enrolled in the Texas Youth Depression Suicide Research Network Registry Study
  • Be between the ages of 12 and 18 or currently enrolled in high school
  • Have a caregiver willing to participate in the program
  • Be able to commit to weekly sessions for eight weeks
  • Be currently experiencing depressive symptoms
  • Be able to participate in telehealth services within Texas
  • Willing to provide consent/assent (parents or guardians for youth aged 12-17; participants aged 18 or older provide consent themselves)
  • Able to read, write, and speak English or Spanish sufficiently to understand study procedures and give informed consent
  • Willing to dedicate time to complete scheduled assessments and attend intervention sessions (both youth and caregiver)
  • Able to provide a reliable means of contact
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Have an acute medical or psychological condition that would make participation difficult or unsafe
  • Have a condition causing inability to accurately complete study requirements (e.g., neurological or significant neurodevelopmental issues)
  • Have active psychotic or manic symptoms that impair mental status or require immediate higher-level intervention
  • Have a caregiver who is cognitively unable to provide consent if the participant is aged 12-17

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person or virtual) for screening and enrollment

Treatment

Duration - 8 to 10 weeks

Participants receive behavioral activation treatment using telehealth services, involving psychoeducation and skill-building to improve depressive symptoms.

Weekly sessions for 8 to 10 weeks

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, Texas, United States, 77030

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

E

Emily Bivins, B.S.

E

Eric Storch, Ph.D.

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NA

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

1

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Behavioral Activation Disseminated by Non-Mental Health Professionals, Paraprofessionals, and Peers: A Systematic Review.

Morgan S Anvari, Tessa Hampton, My Phuong Tong...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37088508

The Adolescent Behavioral Activation Program: Adapting Behavioral Activation as a Treatment for Depression in Adolescence.

Elizabeth McCauley, Gretchen Gudmundsen, Kelly Schloredt...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25602170

Two Trajectories of Depressive Symptom Reduction Throughout Behavioral Activation Teletherapy Among Underserved, Ethnically Diverse, Primary Care Patients: A VitalSign6 Report.

Joseph M Trombello, Charles South, Alma Sánchez...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33051037