Wed, 22 Nov 2006
New DPP campaign helps patients deal with depression
Every year, one in every 10 of us will experience some form of depression, yet many are too embarrassed to talk about it, and so struggle to access good quality information and support.Now leading health education charity, Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) is launching a new campaign, Dealing with Depression, designed to give patients, their families and friends user-friendly health information that will help them to cope.
DPP Joint Chairman, Dr David Wrigley, who is a GP says
" Although depression can happen to anyone, at any age, for many people it remains a taboo subject. Our research shows that some people are reluctant even to consult their GP, for fear it will blight their future employment prospects. Others are frightened that work colleagues will find out.
DPP’s new booklet offers discreet, practical advice, geared towards patients’ needs. Living with depression is hard, both for those who suffer from it and those who support them – whether family, friends or colleagues. DPP’s campaign reassures everyone whose life has been touched by depression that there is a variety of sources of help available and they are not alone."
The specially written booklet aims to help readers:
- recognise the signs and symptoms of depression, identify some of the most common types and what may cause it
- provide information and advice on what people can do to begin to take control
- make informed choices about treatment, with specific information about medication and talking therapies.
The campaign materials – which also include a poster – were thoroughly road-tested by ICM Research before publication. Focus group comments include:
- I go with my mother about once a month to see the GP and I have never seen or been offered a leaflet. It has helped me a lot to read this.
- The thing that grabbed me was that one in 10 people suffer from depression, so there are lots of people in the same boat as you and that makes you feel better.
- It is for everybody. In my office you could easily pick it up and it’s small enough to put in your bag and take away. You should have it in the work place actually. My job is quite demanding and you may not have the time to find information like this.
- …There is a stigma attached to being depressed even though you could be depressed for anything, like it says here.
For further information, please contact:
Rachel Dorban 0207 383 6780 rdorban@bma.org.uk
Kristin McCarthy 020 7383 6803 kmccarthy@bma.org.uk
Notes for editors
- DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships (formerly Doctor Patient Partnership) is a health education charity working with primary care organisations, businesses and the public www.dpp.org.uk
- The Mental Health Foundation is the leading UK charity working to improve services for both people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. It is the only charity to fund and work with both service users and providers and plays an important role in funding research and new approaches to promotion , treatment and care.