Lotto cash boost for depression study

The Big Lottery Fund has handed £374,655 to Mind to pay for a study by researchers from UCL who will compare which methods of care are the most effective for tackling depression.

The study has been commissioned by Mind as experts predict depression will be the second biggest health problem globally by 2020. …

A recent pilot study indicated that referring patients with chronic recurrent depression to a practice nurse for structured care has benefits.

The research grant allows for a full-scale trial to assess whether this approach leads to better mental health and social benefits for patients, is cost effective, and improves the skills and attitudes of primary care professionals who work with people with long-term depression. …

Dr Marta Buszewicz [UCL Primary Care & Population Science] said: "People with chronic depression are frequently lost from effective care provision with a great cost both to themselves and to society.

"We want to find out whether careful, consistent care will be reflected in better mental health for these patients."

Ben Pindar, Community Newswire