Keynote Speech

Scalable digital interventions for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

Speaker: Prof. Pim Cuijpers


It is not clear whether COVID-19 has affected the prevalence of depression and other mental disorders, although there is evidence that there are subgroups that have been affected considerably by the pandemic. However, COVID-19 has influenced how care providers think about delivery methods for psychological treatments and many providers have moved almost completely to online delivery. There is a long tradition of research on internet-based treatments of depression and other mental disorders. In this presentation I will give an overview of this research, the lessons we have learned and how we can use this knowledge in delivering therapies during and after the pandemic

Scalable digital psychological interventions – a global perspective

Speaker: Dr. Ken Carswell

Scalable, evidence based, psychological interventions are required to support adults, adolescents and children with mental health difficulties and associated impaired functioning, living in communities affected by adversity. For a number of years, WHO has been working to develop a range of evidence based, digital and non-digital, scalable psychological interventions. More recently, and in response to COVID-19, WHO has developed resources to support the remote delivery of interventions.

This talk will provide an overview of WHOs work in this area and available tools to support digital delivery of psychological interventions. This will include adaptations to non-digital interventions, online delivered self-help, resources to support helpers in delivering such interventions, and implementation considerations.