Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being. It affects how one thinks, feels, and interact with others. Given its significant impact on various aspects of life, it’s essential to prioritize and protect one’s mental health. 3H has stepped into conducting clinical trials in mental health, to offer more therapeutic options for the Japanese population.

In an article published recently by The Japan Times, it has demonstrated that mental stress is a growing concern in Japan. The prevalence of depression rate in Japan has jumped from 7.9% in 2013 to 17.3% in 2020. The number of outpatients with conditions of depression, adjustment disorder, and eating disorders have reached approximately 5.86 million in 2020. The rate of suicides among the youth and females too has increased in 2020. A total of nearly 550 000 adolescents have been diagnosed with depression which amounts to about 10% of the youth. It is alarming to know that children too, show signs of anxiety and depression which is seen across 2% to 3% and this rate is expected to increase to 5% to 8% when they are teens. The Covid-19 has led to a lasting impact on many people’s mental health. Thus, the need for more awareness and accessibility for clinical trials in the mental health space. 3H has been spreading awareness through its website Seikatsu Kojo Web (Page view: More than 1 million) on mental health and available clinical trials.

3H contributes to effectively spreading awareness about mental health in Japan. Recent developments in clinical trials for depression and anxiety has opened the doors for more therapeutic options for the condition.

3H’s Clinical trials in the mental health space in Japan

3H is working to improve awareness about clinical trials in the mental health space. Recruiting the right participants and providing adequate support are key for the success of trials in this space and 3H has helped in developing effective strategies to address these challenges and improve the outcomes in mental health clinical trials.

3H has been part of a Paediatrics Major Depressive Disorder Study and the study had a large interest shown through a survey. 15% of the participants came in through referrals. However, only 50% of the interested in the survey was found eligible to take part in the study. In the end, 35% who initially showed interest did not move ahead due to various reasons. 20% of the participants were unreachable, perhaps due to children applying themselves. 9.5% found it too far to travel while 1.5% had financial constraints and another 1.5% also did not want to participate due to having too many visits in the trial design.

Strategies by 3H to improve recruitment for clinical trials in the mental health space

A key challenge in running clinical trials in this mental health space is that diagnosing mental health disorders accurately is a challenge. In addition, stigma and lack of awareness can hinder individuals from seeking formal diagnosis or self-identifying with mental health conditions which prevents them from study participation. Thus, 3H is actively trying to provide a patient-centric approach to improve the success of these trials. 3H offers decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) which has helped in expanding access for participant pool. To improve recruitment, 3H has worked extensively in collaborating with mental health clinics, hospitals, and advocacy groups to raise awareness and encourage participation. In addition, remote assessments and telemedicine has been an effective way to monitor clinical trial participants. 3H offers satellite sites with mobile nurses and telemedicine to enhance patient experience, while in-person interactions are done where essential.

Clinical trial staff are trained by 3H to discuss mental health sensitively and respectfully. Additionally, creating a more inclusive trial environment has helped in attracting diverse participants. Also, by offering open-label extension opportunities it is an incentive for patients to participate, allowing them to continue receiving treatment after the trial concludes especially in mental health space. These factors has helped 3H to improve recruitment efforts and advance the development of effective treatments for mental health disorders.

There is more room for bridging the gap and making participation in clinical trials in the mental health space more accessible. 3H is already at it!

To learn more about how we can support your study, kindly reach us at imran@3h-ms.co.jp