COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment)

The CDC estimates that 1 in 10 of all adults and 1 in 8 teens are depressed. Depression adversely affects the course and outcome of common chronic conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity (CDC, 2012). The United States Preventive Services Task Force evidence-based recommendation is that screening for depression in primary care settings should be conducted for all adolescents 12 to 18 years of age and adults along with evidence-based treatment with cognitive behavioral or interpersonal  therapy for those individuals who are depressed.  However,  less than 25% of affected individuals receive treatment in large part due to the shortage of mental health providers who can deliver therapy. Therefore, the COPE (Creating Opportunity for Personal Empowerment) Program was developed as a 7-session cognitive behavioral skills building intervention that can be delivered in primary care settings in 25-30 minutes. Findings support decreases in depression and anxiety with the program.  This presentation will provide an overview of the COPE Program along with findings that support its positive effects. Implications for use of COPE in primary care will be highlighted.