An internet-delivered, evidenced-based treatment program for mental health and alcohol use in Older Australians

INTERVENTION: Participants who join the research study will be randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment conditions; 1. BreathingSpace + 10 weekly brief telephone check in's (n = 75), or 2. BreathingSpace + SHADE + 10 weekly brief telephone check in's (n = 75). Following randomisation study participants will be given the option of receiving a brief introductory telephone call (10 minutes) to orient them to the style of intervention, introduce them to the program/s they have been allocated, and assist initial engagement with the BreathingSpace app and online programs by provision of technical support. BreathingSpace Breathing Space is a private, purpose built online social network in app form developed by the research team. Only participants who complete the screening assessment and are deemed eligible to participate in the study will have access to the BreathingSpace community. Eligible participants will have the choice of to join the research part of the study, or just join BreathingSpace. As such, the BreathingSpace online community will consist of older Australians who meet the eligibility criteria for study participation, including both non‐study participants and those in the research study. The site and any of its contents will not be publicly visible on the internet and can only be viewed by participants and clinical research staff employed on the project. BreathingSpace will be similar in function to a Facebook group (except that it will be anonymous) enabling participants to post their thoughts, messages of support, update their status, share their experiences, and report on progress related to their mood and alcohol use. The site will be moderated by clinicians including Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Social Workers. Moderators will als CONDITION: Depression;Suicide;Alcohol Misuse; ; Depression ; Suicide ; Alcohol Misuse Mental Health ‐ Addiction Mental Health ‐ Depression Mental Health ‐ Suicide PRIMARY OUTCOME: The Geriatric Depression Scale (short form) is a 15‐item screening tool used to identify depression in older adults.[This is completed at the time of the screening assessment for study entry and follow up assessment time points at 12 and 26 weeks post baseline assessment.] The Opiate Treatment Index (OTI) ‐ Alcohol scale is a self‐report measure which asks about the quantity of alcohol consumed and date of consumption of the last three occasions of alcohol use within the past month. This information is used to estimate the average daily amount of alcohol consumed in the last month. [This is completed at baseline and 12 and 26 weeks post baseline] The short Michigan Alcoholism Screening test‐ Geriatric Version (sMAST) is 10 item screening test to identify alcoholism in older adults.[This is completed at the time of the screening assessment for study entry and follow up assessment time points at 12 and 26 weeks post baseline assessment.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) 60 years of age or older; 2) Current depressive symptoms (score 5+ on the Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS); 3) Current risky alcohol consumption (score of 2 or more on the short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test – Geriatric Version, sMAST‐GV); 4) Ability and willingness to access the internet. SECONDARY OUTCOME: The UCLA 3 Item Loneliness Scale comprises 3 questions that measure three dimensions of loneliness: relational connectedness, social connectedness and self‐perceived isolation.[This is completed at baseline and 12 and 26 weeks post baseline.] The SIDAS is designed to screen individuals in the community for presence of suicidal thoughts and assess the severity of these thoughts. It consists of five items, each targeting an attribute of suicidal thoughts: frequency, controllability, closeness to attempt, level of distress associated with the thoughts and impact on daily functioning. Responses are measured on a 10‐point scale.[This is completed at baseline and 12 and 26 weeks post baseline] The WHOQOL‐OLD is a multidimensional measure of quality of life in older persons and comprises 24 items divided into six facets or subscales of four items each. These facets are sensory abilities, autonomy, past, present, and future activities, social participation, death and dying, and intimacy.[This is completed at baseline and 12 and 26 weeks post baseline.]