People affected by depression and anxiety are being asked to take part in new clinical trials, which aim to investigate the benefits of online treatment for these conditions.

The trials mark a collaboration between researchers at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), SilverCloud Health, a Dublin-based developer of online health wellness solutions, and depression support organisation, Aware.

The trials aims to investigate the effectiveness of two online treatments that are self-administered. The trial at TCD will assess an online treatment intervention aimed at students with generalised anxiety, while the trial at Aware will assess an online treatment intervention for mild to moderate depression.

The Aware trial is looking to recruit at least 300 people nationwide. Support is being provided by Aware-trained volunteers who are familiar with SilverCloud Health programmes.

Meanwhile the TCD study is looking to recruit 150 students with anxiety.

According to TCD, online treatments for depression and anxiety have been used successfully worldwide.

"Based on the success achieved to date with supported online treatments for depression and anxiety, we believe that participants in both trials will demonstrate significant decreases in symptoms post-intervention and a corresponding increase in quality of life indicators," commented principal investigator, Dr Derek Richards, of TCD and SilverCloud Health.

Anyone who is interested in participating in the trials should contact Dr Richards by email at derek.richards@silvercloudhealth.com

For more information on depression, see our Depression Clinic here