Imagine a Brighter Future: An Intervention to Improve Positive Emotions in Young People

Depression is a common mental health problem that often begins during adolescence. Onset during adolescence can be disruptive to schoolwork and social relationships and if left untreated can lead to recurrence during adulthood, as well as the development of other mental health problems. Current treatments for depression (for both adults and young people) largely focus on reducing low mood and do not effectively tackle the other hallmark symptom of depression, anhedonia, which is characterised as a loss of enjoyment/ pleasure for previously enjoyed activities. Anhedonia is associated with increased risk of suicidality, so should be an important treatment target. Whilst some adult treatments are beginning to address anhedonia, little research has focussed on young people. It cannot be assumed that adult treatments will work identically in young people, particularly s their brains are still maturing compared to adults. The aim of this study is to complete a randomised feasibility trial, to see if it is possible to run a brief talking therapy for anhedonia in adolescent depression, by targeting one promising cognitive factor known to contribute to low positive affect: positive future mental imagery