Depression Grand Challenge

After successfully completing two pilot studies, today is the launch of the final or main study phase of the Digital Mental Health Study, involving more than 3,000 participants recruited from UCLA Health and the UCLA student body.

UCLA has launched the UCLA Depression Research Registry, a new tool to improve research recruitment for future UCLA mental health research studies.

The UCLA Depression Grand Challenge was one of twelve organizations selected as a performer for the Wellcome-Leap Multi-Channel Psych program. The program aims to develop better understanding about anhedonic depression, a severe and inhibitive kind of depression which affects the ability to feel pleasure or enjoyment.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, UCLA teamed up with Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD to open the STAND for All program to everyone. Through STAND for All, UCLA offers free self-guided online lessons to teach participants cognitive behavioral skills for self-management of low mood and anxiety.

Jonathan Flint, UCLA behavioral geneticist and Depression Grand Challenge Executive Committee member, shared background about the theory of the “warrior gene” in a blog post written for the Oxford University Press.

In an effort to understand more about depression experienced by pregnant and new moms, we are recruiting women who receive care at a UCLA OBGYN clinic and who are between week 28 of their pregnancy and 6 months postpartum.

Today is the launch of the second pilot phase of the study, involving approximately 140 participants recruited from UCLA Health. As with the prior pilot phase, this phase will be conducted entirely remotely.

After building content, a new platform, training a new cohort of coaches on the content and collaborating closely with students and administrators at East Los Angeles College, staff at Didi Hirsch and staff at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge is excited to launch the STAND at ELAC program for ELAC students.

The UCLA Depression Grand Challenge has established an advisory committee to help ensure its programs and decisions promote social justice and anti-racism. The inaugural DGC Social Justice Advisory Committee includes: Jeanne Miranda, chair, Gaby Aguilera, Denise Chavira, Nicole Green, Stan Huey, Tamar Kodish, Isabelle Lanser and Anna Lau.

UCLA Depression Grand Challenge Co-Director Michelle Craske (psychology and psychiatry professor) was a featured speaker at a virtually streamed Scientific Symposium presented by One Mind on September 12, 2020. One Mind’s 26th Music Festival for Brain Health celebrated groundbreaking ideas, brain health and community with a virtually streamed concert and Scientific Symposium.