Two forms of counseling that are effective treatments for depression are
cognitive behavior psychotherapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy
(IPT). In CBT, we learn to look at the effects of our thoughts and behavior
on our mood. You will learn some techniques of CBT in Modules 5-8. IPT
looks at how human relationships affect your mood. You learn some of these
techniques in Modules 9-12.
Teens who used earlier versions of the program stated that the coping
skills they learned by practicing CBT and IPT methods were very helpful and
they were less depressed after using them. People who spent more time on
the program and completed the program tended to feel better. The two
studies completed thus far with support from the National Institutes of
Mental Health, Robert Wood Foundation and NARSAD Foundation showed that
kids who participated felt better at the end of the program.
If you feel that a section or module is not helpful, try another.
CURB was developed by leading universities to improve teens' coping skills. The program was first developed by Dr. Benjamin W. Van Voorhees while he was a doctor in training at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Later, the program was developed further at the University of Chicago. Dr. Karen Taylor-Crawford, in collaboration with Dr. Benjamin Van Voorhees has led the effort to adjust the original program so it applies to URBAN youth. Others in the Chicago area who are involved in developing Project CURB include: Miles Square Clinics, Corazon Community Services, Family Services of Cicero and University of Illinois.
You're right, bad stuff happens and it seems to yank you “down” at times. But getting stuck in a “do nothing” state of mind just makes you feel even worse. What you will learn at CURB is that we can control some of how far we fall by changing how we react to bad stuff. In fact, with some of the coping skills you learn at CURB you can take the bad stuff, learn to deal with it-and be a lot stronger. Think about it: How do you feel when you have struggled and still survived?
Many teens from a lot of different backgrounds have worked on CURB and have helped in its development. For example, 20 kids got together at the invitation of some of the developers and looked at all the materials we were creating. The teens helped us write stories that deal with real world situations. We will be including many of these stories for you to read as you use the modules.
Sometimes it can feel like it takes a really long time to get through a
module and do the exercises. But like the exercises you do for sports or
gym, you have to put some effort in to get some success. Part of the
success you can notice when you work on CURB will be like what other people
noticed earlier. In studies done earlier on CURB, teens who used the
program's coping skills felt they were very helpful and they were much less
depressed after using the coping skills. Plus, people who spent more time
on the program and completed the modules tended to feel better. So if you
can, stick with finishing the modules, especially the skill builders and
the “doing” parts.
You can also try a different module if the one you are using seems too hard
at first or it does not seem meaningful for you. Keep working on the
program; doing so will help you build the sort of “muscles” that give you
more resiliency.
Sometimes a program like CURB, which pays attention to feelings and behavior connected to depression, can be hard because of the feelings and thoughts that come up. People can sometimes experience strong feelings in the healing process of counseling. However, your counselor will be there to guide you and help you learn how you can overcome depression. If this happens while you are at CURB, take a break and go to Module 1 where you can try some deep breathing or journal a bit about yourself.
There are many reasons why people feel that treatment or counseling has not
worked for them. They may not have clicked with a counselor. A different
counselor might provide a different result. Rather than focusing on bad
experiences with counseling in the past, we suggest learning more about the
available treatments and discussing them with family and friends. You may
find that family or friends have been successfully treated for depression
or similar struggles but never mentioned it.
CURB lets you be in charge of when and how you do the program. You also
have the chance to learn about yourself on your own and share things with
others as you wish.
CURB is completely free. It does not involve insurance, co-payments or other things related to money that might delay when you can begin. You just start up-unlike other face-to-face programs, you can do CURB on your own and on your own schedule. So you see, CURB is easy to do.
Project CURB is something you do on your own. You can choose to stop at any time no one will ever even know you did. Completing the CURB program is up to you.
If you’re interested in using CURB but have trouble getting to a computer, you might be able to find one at your school or local library. The Internet site you will go to for using CURB does not have any negative words in big type so you will have some privacy, but consider who is around you when you are at one of these public sites.
Being depressed just a little, or needing to work to prevent depression,
still has some stigma attached to it. Stigma, the feeling of shame or
disgrace, can make us worry that friends or family will think less of us.
However, depression is actually common in young people. As many as one in
four young adults has had either minor depression or clinical depression.
If you feel you can trust a friend, you may decide to talk about it with
him or her. Since the person is your friend, you may discover that he or
she cares about you and just wants you to be as strong as you can be.
Most of the teens in earlier studies said their friends wanted them to do
the program. Plus, many teens have completed the program or have helped
develop it for you. They did this because they believed there is nothing
wrong with trying to keep yourself strong. In the end it’s up to you to
decide who you talk to about your experience with CURB.
Nothing. They won't even know. Federal law protects the privacy of your medical records. You cannot be discriminated against because you take part in this program to prevent depression. No one will know about your participation in CURB unless you tell them. Most employers and schools prefer that their students and workers receive treatment to prevent or deal with depression so that they can be successful at school and on the job.