What is the Depression Program?
The Depression Program is a free self-guided online learning program from Mental Health Online that provides information on depression and teaches you skills and strategies to:
- Understand and identify the symptoms of depression
- Start using activity to improve your mood
- Recognise and challenge unhelpful thoughts
- Boost your wellbeing by making lifestyle changes
- Protect your mental health and wellbeing after the course.
Who is the Depression Program for?
The Depression Program is available for Australian residents over the age of 18 and may be helpful for people with mild to moderate levels of depression or anyone feeling:
- Helpless or hopeless
- Worthless
- Guilty
- Angry or irritable
- Sad
- Numb or disconnected.
If you’re unsure if the Depression Program is right for you, you can complete Mental Health Online’s mental health assessment, e-PASS, which will make recommendations about which program(s) might be better suited for you.
Remember that depression is a treatable condition. There are many things that you can do to feel better in the moment, as well as long-term strategies that work to treat depression. Lifeline is always here for you if you want to speak to someone.
How does the Depression Program help?
Consisting of 11 self-paced modules that can be completed over the course of 12 months, Depression Program uses principles from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you:
- Understand the link between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
- Recognise patterns of thinking and behaviour
- Identify and challenge core beliefs
- Learn new behaviours and techniques to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Getting started with the Depression Program
To get started with the Depression Program, head to the Mental Health Online website. It’s free but does require you to register.
While Depression Program can be completed independently, you can also sign up to the organisation’s free Therapist Assist option to access 12 weeks of support from a trained Mental Health Online therapist while you use the program.
