Currently recruiting

AFFINITY study

Evaluating the Impact of a Digital Youth Mental Health Service: A pragmatic trial of a targeted digital intervention for youth with suicidal thoughts and behaviours

Investigator: Prof Mario Alvarez-Jimenez

Many young people struggle with suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The Affinity study will help us to understand whether a digital mental health platform designed especially for young people might be able to help.  

The Affinity Study is a ‘randomised controlled trial’ (RCT). This means people are allocated to groups and each group receives a different treatment. To try to make sure the groups are the same, each participant is put into a group by chance (random). The results are compared to see if there is a difference between the groups. 

There are two groups in the Affinity study. One group will use the Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform with access to the Affinity intervention, and the other group will not have access to the MOST platform or the Affinity intervention. 

Participants are invited to take part in one-hour assessments (phone calls and online surveys) eight times over 12 months. Those in the MOST group will have access during the 12 months.

Participants will be reimbursed AUD $50 per completed timepoint ($400 total).

Participants must be aged 15–25 with self-reported symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Participation in the study is completely voluntary, and researchers will ensure participants have all information about the study before they provide consent.

To take part, click HERE.

This work is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Orygen works with the Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne to deliver research and innovative mental health care for young people.