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About moodgym

moodgym is an interactive program designed to help you:

  • Identify whether you are having problems with emotions like anxiety and depression.
  • Learn skills that can help you cope with these emotions.

moodgym is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy which have been shown to be successful in preventing and treating depression and anxiety.

There is broad in improving wellbeing and reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in users.

Research evidence

Since its launch in 2001, moodgym has been extensively evaluated in a number of research trials undertaken by research groups around the world. These include studies: in a range of settings (e.g., schools, workplaces, crisis support services, NHS Choices online); across the mental health care spectrum (from prevention to treatment); with different age groups (adults, adolescents); with a range of population groups (e.g. students, primary care patients, community users); in different countries; and with and without therapist guidance.

A study in England found that use of moodgym as an adjunct to GP care did not substantially improve depression outcomes compared with usual GP care alone1. However, a recent meta-analysis of 12 studies found that moodgym is effective at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in adult populations, with some evidence suggesting that it is also effective at reducing general psychological distress2.

moodgym has also been shown to have a number of secondary benefits. Studies have reported moodgym to be effective in reducing hazardous alcohol use3, reducing suicide risk in high-risk populations4, and in improving wellbeing in community users 5. Evaluation studies suggest that moodgym is a viable option for those who cannot access face-to-face therapy, and for those waiting for traditional services 6.

1. Gilbody S., et al., Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (cCBT) as treatment for depression in primary care (REEACT trial): large scale pragmatic randomised controlled trial BMJ 2015; 351 :h5627
2. Twomey, C. and G. O’Reilly, Effectiveness of a freely available computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programme (MoodGYM) for depression: Meta-analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2016.
3. Farrer, L., et al., Web-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Depression With and Without Telephone Tracking in a National Helpline: Secondary Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR, 2012. 14(3):e68
4. Guille, C., et al., Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for the prevention of suicidal ideation in medical interns: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 2015: 1-7.
5. Powell, J., et. al. Effectiveness of a web-based cognitive-behavioral tool to improve mental well-being in the general population: randomized controlled trial. JMIR, 2013, 15(1), e2).
6. Twomey, C., et. al. A randomized controlled trial of the computerized CBT programme, MoodGYM, for public mental health service users waiting for interventions. Br J Clin Psychol, 2014.

Clinicial practice guidelines

moodgym provides training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) which is a recommended treatment for depression and anxiety disorders in the clinical practice guidelines published by Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Digital CBT or Internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) is also recognised in the guidelines, which make specific mention of the moodgym program.

You can access the clinical practice guidelines through the following links:

NSQDMH standards accreditation

moodgym is accredited to the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health standards . These standards improve the quality of digital mental health services and protect service users and their support people from harm.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Accredited for Compliance with NSQDMH Standards. Reg. 27/06/23 Exp. 27/06/26. Click badge to verify*

Acknowledgements

In the spirit of reconciliation e-hub Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.

We acknowledge and respect the diversity of our service users, including diversity of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age and disability.

Service user rights

The moodgym web service complies with and promotes The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights and The Charter of Young People's Healthcare Rights .

Accessibility

e-hub Health is committed to ensuring that our programs and websites are accessible to all users.

e-hub Health commissioned me2 accessibility to conduct an Accessibility Audit on the moodgym website. On 10 July 2019 me2 accessibility certified that the moodgym website satisfied all Level A and AA Success Criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 specification.

W3C WAI-AA WCAG 2.1 Certified WCAG Level AA me2 accessibility

If you find a problem, or think an aspect of moodgym could be more accessible, please contact the moodgym support team to let us know, so that we can work to improve the program for all users.

Who is behind moodgym?

moodgym was originally developed and evaluated over 15 years by researchers at the Australian National University. The development and delivery of moodgym is now undertaken by e-hub Health - an ANU spin-off company. e-hub Health is part of the Dialogue group of companies.

moodgym is delivered with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care.

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