Development and pilot study of a marketing strategy for primary care/internet-based depression prevention intervention for adolescents (the CATCH-IT intervention).

Background: Adolescent depression is both common and burdensome, and while evidence-based strategies have been developed to prevent adolescent depression, participation in such interventions remains extremely low, with less than 3% of at-risk individuals participating. To promote participation in evidence-based preventive strategies, a rigorous marketing strategy is needed to translate research into practice.

Objective: To develop and pilot a rigorous marketing strategy for engaging at-risk individuals with an Internet-based depression prevention intervention in primary care targeting key attitudes and beliefs.

From prototype to product: development of a primary care/internet based depression prevention intervention for adolescents (CATCH-IT).

We describe the prototype to product development process of a low cost, socio-culturally relevant, easily implemented Internet-based depression prevention intervention for adolescents in primary care. The intervention named "Project CATCH-IT" (Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-behavioral, Humanistic and Interpersonal Training) includes an initial motivational interview in primary care to engage the adolescent, fourteen Web-based modules based on behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapy which target known risk factors, and a follow-up motivational interview in primary care. This was successfully fielded in a pilot study with 25 adolescents.