Effect of a Brief Mood Training Program on Anxiety and Depression Arising from COVID-19-Related Stress

INTERVENTION: There are two arms to this trial. Arm 1: Positive Mood Training. Arm 2: Enhanced Treatment as Usual. Therapy is administered once‐weekly 60 minute sessions by clinical psychologists over 7 weeks delivered via video‐conferencing to groups of 4 people at a time. Across sessions the clinical psychologist will teach the following mood coping strategies: arousal reduction, mood improvement strategies, positive events boosting, and accessing social support. This will occur will via educational sessions, group discussions via teleconference, and homework assignments. Homework will include mood monitoring, prompts to engage in positive activities, and prompts to engage in social interaction. Adherence to session strategies and homework assignments will be monitored by completing session attendance checklists and weekly checks of assigned homework tasks. Clinical psychologists will be trained by the lead investigator (Bryant), and will be supplemented by completion of conducting practice groups under supervision. Participants who complete all assessments will be reimbursed $50 for their time.The duration of the study for any participant will conclude after a 6‐month follow‐up assessment, resulting in participation duration of 34 weeks. CONDITION: Depression;Anxiety;COVID‐19; ; Depression ; Anxiety ; COVID‐19 Infection ‐ Other infectious diseases Mental Health ‐ Anxiety Mental Health ‐ Depression Respiratory ‐ Other respiratory disorders / diseases PRIMARY OUTCOME: Anxiety and depression represent a composite primary outcome, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale.[Pretreatment (week 1), posttreatment (week 7), primary follow‐up (week 19), additional follow‐up (week 59).] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Health related quality of life will be measured using Australian Quality of Life.[Pretreatment (week 1), posttreatment (week 7), follow‐up (week 19), additional follow‐up (week 59).] Positive affect as measured by the Pleasure Scale.[Pretreatment (week 1), posttreatment (week 7), follow‐up (week 19), additional follow‐up (week 59).] Suicidal ideation as measured by the Scale for Suicidal Ideation.[Pretreatment (week 1), posttreatment (week 7), follow‐up (week 19), additional follow‐up (week 59).] Worry as measured by the Generalized Anxiety DIsorder 7.[Pretreatment (week 1), posttreatment (week 7), follow‐up (week 19), additional follow‐up (week 59).] INCLUSION CRITERIA: INCLUSION CRITERIA: • Score of greater than or equal to 16 on K10 • Aged at least 18 years • Sufficient English language comprehension • Access to teleconferencing platform