Depression prevention in youth
Depression Prevention In Youth
#1 Op Volle Kracht: School-Based Depression Prevention for Adolescents
To develop resiliency skills is essential for youth, especially in these challenging times in terms of climate crisis and geopolitical instabilities. Young people report more mental health problems than ever before. In the last decade we developed various programs to help young people (and their parents, teachers) to deal with mental health challenges.
Op Volle Kracht (OVK, At Full Force) is a universal, school-based depression prevention program developed and tested in the Netherlands. Based on the Penn Resiliency Program, OVK focuses on equipping young people with the emotional and cognitive skills needed to manage stress, reduce depressive symptoms, and build resilience. The program is designed for universal application, meaning it can be implemented in schools for all students, regardless of their risk for depression.
Co-Developer
Rinka van Zundert
Yuli Tak
Karlijn Kindt
Rowella Kuijpers
Institutions
Radboud University Nijmegen
Trimbos Institute
The program’s success is attributed to its structured approach, which includes cognitive-behavioral techniques, coping strategies, and peer support to help students navigate emotional challenges. OVK also emphasizes long-term impact, with studies indicating that the benefits of the program extend well beyond the intervention period, promoting sustained emotional well-being in participants.
OVK has been rigorously evaluated through multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Trials have been conducted on the program with a universal, indicative and selective focus. Most evidence has been obtained for adolescents with elevated levels of depressive feelings (indicated prevention).
Studies
Over the years, several studies (including randomized clinical trials) have been conducted on MindLight, with positive results on child outcomes.
BMC Public Health
Tak, Y. R., Van Zundert, R. M., Kuijpers, R. C., Van Vlokhoven, B. S., Rensink, H. F., & Engels, R. C. (2012). A randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a universal school-based depression prevention program'Op Volle Kracht'in the Netherlands. BMC Public Health, 12, 1-9.
Journal of abnormal child psychology
Tak, Y. R., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Gillham, J. E., Van Zundert, R. M., & Engels, R. C. (2016). Universal school-based depression prevention ‘Op Volle Kracht’: A longitudinal cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 44, 949-961.
Journal of abnormal child psychology
Wijnhoven, L. A., Creemers, D. H., Vermulst, A. A., Scholte, R. H., & Engels, R. C. (2014). Randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a depression prevention program (‘Op Volle Kracht’) among adolescent girls with elevated depressive symptoms. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 42, 217-228.
International journal of environmental research and public health
Kindt, K. C., Kleinjan, M., Janssens, J. M., & Scholte, R. H. (2014). Evaluation of a school-based depression prevention program among adolescents from low-income areas: A randomized controlled effectiveness trial. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(5), 5273-5293.
Depression prevention in youth
Depression Prevention In Youth
#2 STORM: A Youth-Focused Approach to Depression and Suicide Prevention
Storm is a specialized program aimed at preventing depression and suicide among youth through evidence-based interventions. Designed with young people in mind, Storm offers practical tools, therapies, and support systems to address mental health challenges early on. By combining strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, resilience training, and peer support, the program empowers young individuals to manage depression, build emotional strength, and reduce risk factors for suicide.
Various clinical trials have been conducted in collaboration with high schools, municipality health services and mental health care institutions. The results have been so promising that the project has been adopted by the National Ministry of Health and implemented in other regions in the Netherlands.
Co-Developer
Daan Creemers
Lieke Wijnhoven
Karlijn de Jonge-Heesen
Mandy Gijzen
ETc.
Institutions
Radboud University Nijmegen
GGZ Oost Brabant
Visit Stormaanpak.nl (Dutch) to learn how this research-backed program is making a difference in youth mental health. Explore resources, expert insights, and training options to support young people at risk and foster a healthier, more resilient generation.
Publications
Over the years, several studies (including randomized clinical trials) have been conducted on MindLight, with positive results on child outcomes.
BMC medicine
de Jonge-Heesen, K. W., Rasing, S. P., Vermulst, A. A., Scholte, R. H., van Ettekoven, K. M., Engels, R. C., & Creemers, D. H. (2020). Randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of implemented depression prevention in high-risk adolescents. BMC medicine, 18, 1-13.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
de Jonge-Heesen, K. W., Rasing, S. P., Vermulst, A. A., Scholte, R. H., Van Ettekoven, K. M., Engels, R. C., & Creemers, D. H. (2021). Secondary outcomes of implemented depression prevention in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 643632.
Plos one
Gijzen, M., Rasing, S., van den Boogaart, R., Rongen, W., van der Steen, T., Creemers, D., ... & Smit, F. (2021). Feasibility of a serious game coupled with a contact-based session led by lived experience workers for depression prevention in high-school students. Plos one, 16(11), e0260224.
BMC psychiatry
Gijzen, M. W., Creemers, D. H., Rasing, S. P., Smit, F., & Engels, R. C. (2018). Evaluation of a multimodal school-based depression and suicide prevention program among Dutch adolescents: design of a cluster-randomized controlled trial. BMC psychiatry, 18, 1-12.
Frontiers in public health
Jenniskens, K., Rasing, S., Popma, A., Creemers, D., Ghalit, C., van Vuuren, L., ... & Van Nassau, F. (2024). Development of an implementation plan for a school-based multimodal approach for depression and suicide prevention in adolescents. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1386031.
Depression prevention in youth
Depression Prevention In Youth
#3: STARR: Improving Adolescent Depression Prevention
Depression prevention for adolescents has been a focus of recent research, particularly in exploring the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) components. STARR, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and Reflection, guides students through real-life emotional and social challenges, providing them with the tools to improve emotional regulation and resilience.
We used a microtrail design to assess the relative effectiveness and sequencing of CBT components in preventing depression among adolescents. This approach allowed for a detailed evaluation of core CBT elements—such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and problem-solving—providing insights into which aspects are most effective for adolescent mental health interventions. The findings offer a blueprint for tailoring depression prevention programs to better address the unique needs of young people.
Co-Developer
Marieke van den Heuvel
Denise Bodden
Institutions
Utrecht University
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Trimbos Institute
Additionally, the STARR Training program complements these findings by offering a structured, online platform for professionals.
Publications
Over the years, several studies (including randomized clinical trials) have been conducted on MindLight, with positive results on child outcomes.
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
van den Heuvel, M. W., Bodden, D. H., Smit, F., Stikkelbroek, Y., Weisz, J. R., Moerbeek, M., & Engels, R. C. (2023). Relative effectiveness of CBT-components and sequencing in indicated depression prevention for adolescents: A cluster-randomized microtrial. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 52(4), 503-518.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Bodden, D. H., van den Heuvel, M. W., Engels, R. C., & Dirksen, C. D. (2022). Societal costs of subclinical depressive symptoms in Dutch adolescents: A cost‐of‐illness study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(7), 771-780.
BMC psychiatry
van den Heuvel, M. W., Bodden, D. H., Moerbeek, M., Smit, F., & Engels, R. C. (2019). Dismantling the relative effectiveness of core components of cognitive behavioural therapy in preventing depression in adolescents: protocol of a cluster randomized microtrial. BMC psychiatry, 19, 1-13.
