LINKS (NEURA)

Description:

LINKS is a psycho-educational website targeted at people with a family history of depression. It includes information on the likelihood of depression occurring due to familial history, early signs and symptoms of depression, environmental and genetic risk factors such as stress and lifestyle factors, prevention and early detection strategies and interventions. The website features visual illustrations and video vignettes in order to clarify key concepts as well as provides rating for the evidence-base. You will also have access to a risk-assessment tool which allows you to visualize your lifetime and annual risk of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Bipolar Disorder (BD) relative to the general population among other risk estimates. 

Service URL:

https://links.neura.edu.au/

Agency Responsible:

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA).

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Educational (primarily educational material or psychoeducation).

Course Length:

Other. 50 screens and 8 videos

Support Option:

Program guidance.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Depression.

Target Audience:

Families. People with one or more relatives with a history of depression

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: With registration.

Contact Details:

links@unsw.edu.au

Research evidence

Research Trials:

1

Research RCTs:

0

Outcome Summary:

A pilot trial tested the website in six GP practices where 24 participants completed questionnaires regarding the LINKS website. Satisfaction with the website was high and it was considered acceptable by this sample. However, effectiveness of the website on depression was not tested and a larger controlled trial is required to evaluate if the website is able to reduce depressive symptoms.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

Meiser, B., Peate, M., Levitan, C., Mitchell, P. B., Trevena, L., Barlow-Stewart, K., . . . Schofield, P. R. (2017). A Psycho-Educational Intervention for People with a Family History of Depression: Pilot Results. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 26(2), 312-321. doi: 10.1007/s10897-016-0011-5