Good Life Program at UA Uses Technology to Help Treat Depression

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Combining technology with a passion to give back to the community, two doctoral students at The University of Alabama are offering the Good Life self-help depression treatment program to older adults in West Alabama.

Martin Morthland and Avani Shah, both doctoral candidates in psychology, have been working under the supervision of Dr. Forrest Scogin, UA professor of psychology, to develop the program to treat local residents suffering from symptoms of depression or sad emotions.

The new, self-help study is aimed at local residents who want to feel better about their emotions without taking medication. The study is free for participants and all information is kept confidential. Participants must be 55 or older and must meet a list of requirements in order to receive the treatment which takes one month to complete. The study is designed for 70 participants who have or will be recruited through several organizations across Tuscaloosa.

Morthland and Shah have designed two different ways to treat the symptoms of depression and hope to find significant data as to the efficacy of each approach. Both approaches — audio-based and computer-based treatments — have the potential to be especially valuable for older adults, according to the researchers. Since both of these approaches are designed as self-help, a large amount of responsibility is placed with the participant to complete each step in the program and to report their progress.

By offering the program, the two doctoral candidates are also researching the same dissertation topic. Morthland and Shah worked together to design this study that they describe as a tremendous learning experience and great way to return thanks to Tuscaloosa. Shah, a Tuscaloosa native, received her previous degrees from UA and feels this program has given her a way to give back to the people she has known for years.

“I want to give back to Tuscaloosa, this is my home,” says Shah.

Since the program is in its beginning phase of treatment for participants, they welcome any interested, eligible candidates. The researchers can provide a complete list of criteria for study participation.

For more information about the Good Life program or to be considered for treatment as part of the program, contact Morthland or Shah at 1-866-575-2013 or 205/348-1921.