Strategies shed light on depression

The supplement highlights the need for risk-reduction strategies to provide sustained benefit for patients, including:

• Parent training;
• Screening of patients in general practice for depression;
• Use of Internet to treat depression; and
• Potential role of exercise and vitamins to prevent depression in older persons.
• Each year, more than 800,000 adults and 95,000 children and adolescents are affected by depression.

"This supplement brings together Australian experiences with specific depression prevention programs, and focuses on their strengths and limitations," Professor Hickie said.

"There is an urgent need to identify not only what interventions work, but also who is required to deliver them, at what cost, and if there are any unforeseen consequences such as increased stigma or discrimination," Professor Hickie said.

Older people who are in good physical health now appear to be at lower risk than in the past. But young people now appear to be at increased risk of a range of adverse mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety, alcohol and other substance misuse, and suicide.

"In the past, too little public and government attention has been given to these issues.

"We now have better ideas about what can be done to prevent depression. We need to make sure doctors, teachers, parents and politicians place as much emphasis on these issues as they have typically on other health topics such as smoking, blood pressure, screening for cancer, diet and exercise," Professor Hickie said.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT: Professor Ian Hickie (02) 9556 9637 (B/H); (0438) 810 231 (A/H)

Sarah Crichton, AMA (0419) 440 076