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Archive
In this section:
~ National Depression Week™ 2004 ~ New Information Leaflets 2004 ~ From Back Street to High Street 2004 ~ The
Queen's Speech 2003 ~ Reforms to
Charity Law ~ Disability
discrimination rights ~
New BBC Documentary ~ Living
with fear
~ Panorama ~ National Depression
Week™ 2003 ~ Draft
Mental Health Bill 2002 defeated! ~ Survey
Shows That Unrealistic Workloads Are To Blame
For Increasing Rates of Depression And Stress
At Work ~ Annual
General Meeting 2003 ~ The
Truth About Antidepressants And Side Effects
National Depression Week™ 2004 [top]
Reaching an estimated 12 million people, this year's National Depression Week™ focussed on the most frightening aspect of the condition, its prevalence. Thousands of individuals and organisations joined together in raising awareness through local events and activities. Over 4000 GP surgeries held displays and by the end of the week, if there was anyone left who didn't know that 1 in 5 of us will experience depression at some point in our lives, then they must have kept themselves well hidden away!
Would you like to be involved with next year's campaign?
New Information Leaflets 2004 [top]
Depression Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of a new series of leaflets. The leaflets cover aspects of depression from sexual dysfunction and sleep problems to self-help options and complementary therapies. To receive copies of these 9 leaflets please send £2 and a large stamped (35p) self-addressed envelope to Information series, Depression Alliance, Suite 212, Spitfire Studios, London, N1 9BE
From Back Street to High Street 2004 [top]
From Back Street to High Street - Unregulated Medicines Pose Serious Threat to Patient Safety
Concerns over the safety of prescription medicines were debated at a one-day conference From Back Street to High Street , held by the charity Depression Alliance on 17 November in London. Experts from the healthcare industry and public and voluntary health sectors were present to discuss the risks to the supply chain and the dangers posed by counterfeit medicines. Key to both issues was the threat that parallel importing poses to the quality control of prescription medicines.
One of the key speakers, Graham Satchwell is a former spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, and presented key findings from the Sick Business report showing links between organised crime and counterfeit medicine. Other speakers included Martin Sweeney, External Affairs Manager for the European Trade Group at Pfizer, who discussed patient safety risks and effects on business of counterfeits, and Jim Thomson, chief executive of Depression Alliance on the dangers of buying medication through on-line pharmacies.
Learn more by visiting Safe Medicines.
The
Queen's Speech 2003
Mental Health legislation was not mentioned: [top]
Depression Alliance campaigned vigorously to ensure
that the Draft Mental Health Bill 2002 was withdrawn.
The charity feared that the proposed legislation
was unfair, unworkable, highly stigmatising and
would contravene Articles 3 and 5 of the European
Convention on Human Rights.
However, Depression Alliance was surprised that
a reformed Mental Health Bill was not included
in this year's Queen's speech and is now seeking
clarification from the government on its proposed
course of action with regards to plans for future
mental health legislation. It will be difficult
for anyone involved in mental health to plan ahead
until this matter is resolved but we are pleased
to note the Health Minister's commitment to working
with stakeholders to get the Bill right.
Currently people affected by mental health problems
receive inadequate care due to a lack of community
psychiatric services with thousands of people
having to fall back on primary care. Without massive
extra resources, any new legislation will fail
in its objective of protecting good mental health.
We welcome the Health Secretary's commitment to
extra resources and support Dr Louis Appleby's
(the National Clinical Director for Mental Health)
recent calls for greater transparency in how that
money is spent.
Reforms
to Charity Law [top]
Depression Alliance welcomes reforms to charity
law.
" They should breathe new life
into the Charity Commission and clarify the role
of charitable organisations in the public eye.
We particularly welcome the self-regulation aspects
as they will enable us to promote better practice
in fundraising. If the government delivers on
these plans then they will have succeeded in reforming
a 400 year sector at a stroke."
Disability
discrimination rights [top]
Increasing the rights and opportunities of disabled
people in Britain is a move which must be welcomed,
especially where depression and other mental illness
is concerned. The gaps in disability right's law,
especially for mental health, have become increasingly
apparent and need now to be addressed.
New
BBC Documentary [top]
One bad day is an hour long documentary for the
BBC about a fictional day as seen through the eyes
of five people each affected from different forms
of depression. Initially each person appears 'sorted'
but by telling his or her personal account and delving
deeper the viewer begins to understand what daily
challenges they face - the ups as well as the downs.
It is also an opportunity for the viewer to reflect
on their own mental health and prejudices towards
it.
If you think that you might
like to be involved in the documentary then please
email ameliam@depressionalliance.org
for more information. The documentary is being directed
by Oli Barry who himself is affected by depression.
Living with fear -
85% of patients worry about their depression returning
[top]
New research from Depression Alliance reveals that
85% of patients who have experienced depression
are worried about suffering further bouts of the
illness. The results of the survey of 1010 patients
carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres on behalf of
Depression Alliance is published this month in the
Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion
(CMR&O). It found that about a third of the
people who had experienced depression reported overt
fear or anxiety that their depression would return1b.
Unfortunately for many this fear becomes a reality
with around nine out of 10 of those with depression
experiencing at least one repeat episode.1c
Dr Chris Manning, Honorary Vice President of Depression
Alliance and co-author of the paper in CMRO commented,
'Whilst I am heartened that the majority of people
questioned were taking a more holistic, proactive
approach to managing their own depression with activities
such as cognitive therapy, attending support groups,
and participating in exercise, it remains scandalous
that 85% still worry that they will have further
bouts of depression. This concern is not acceptable
when there are treatments such as SSRIs that have
been shown to prevent depression returning. It is
vital that we also ensure that people are treated
with such medicines appropriately and are fully
informed of any side effects or sudden discontinuation
issues.'
The survey went on to reveal that 65% of patients
admitted to having stopped taking their medication
on at least one occasion.1d Guidelines from the
British Association for Psychopharmacology recommend
that treatment should be continued for at least
six months from the point that mood is the same
as it was before the patient became depressed2a,
as it is estimated that without treatment from this
point between one quarter and one third of patients
will relapse into depression.2b
A GP survey supported by PriMHE (Primary Care Mental
Health Education) was carried out in tandem, which
questioned 200 GPs. Their responses would suggest
that very few GPs (5%) follow the BAP guidelines
with nearly a third following no guidelines at all.1e
This is further reinforced by the finding that of
the GPs questioned only 13% would treat for more
than six months and just 36% for up to six months.
Dr Lisa Silver a GP from Oxfordshire, commented
'Although there is a wealth of information and guidance
on treatment and management of depression, there
still appears to be confusion amongst GPs. With
one in five people likely to suffer depression in
their lives, it is vital that GPs update their knowledge
in this area so that they are in a position to treat
and inform those experiencing depression adequately.'
References:
1) Manning C, Marr J. The 'Real Life Burden of Depression'
Surveys - GP and Patient Perspective on Treatment
and Management of Recurrent Depression. Current
Medical Research & Opinion 2003; 19(6): 526-531
doi: 10.1185/030079903125002117.
2) Anderson IM et al. Evidence-based guidelines
for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants:
a revision of the 1993 British Association for Psychopharmacology
guidelines. On behalf of the Consensus Meeting;
endorsed by the British Association for Psychopharmacology.
J Psychopharmacology 2000; 14(1):3-20.
Panorama and Antidepressants 2003 [top]
The Panorama programme broadcast on Sunday 3rd October made several claims about the SSRA class of antidepressants which may cause concern and distress amongst people affected by depression. Depression Alliance is working hard to ensure that accurate information is brought to you as soon as possible.
To have depression is to be at risk of suicide and current evidence suggests that adults benefit from taking antidepressants for their depression. Depression is a serious mental illness and the treatments for it are powerful and have potential side-effects. It is important to discuss any concerns you may have about your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor. Stopping medication suddenly and without medical advice may result in discontinuation symptoms.
See the MHRA's response to concerns over Seroxat.
National
Depression Week™ 2003 [top]
National Depression Week™ is now one of the most
successful initiatives in the busy awareness campaign
calendar. Support for the campaign grows year on
year, reaching an ever widening audience of health
professionals, politicians and the general public.
Working through a variety of media, including the
press, our publications and the internet, we have
made real progress in changing the way depression
is viewed in the 21st century.
National Depression Week™ 2003 concentrated on one
of the most frightening aspects of the illness -
depression in young people. Distressingly, 20% of
all deaths by young people are by suicide, the large
majority of whom are affected by depression. Depression
can strike at any age but it is more common in the
young. For more information please click here.
Draft
Mental Health Bill 2002 defeated!
[top]
(Thanks to all who helped defeat the Draft Mental
Health Bill 2002. We believe that the Draft Bill
was rejected for 6 key reasons:
- It contravened Articles
3 and 5 of the European Convention on Human
Rights.
- It was highly stigmatising
and will deter people with mental illness from
seeking help.
- It was likely to lead to
a "safety first" culture in which
people are detained due to a perception of risk
rather than any actual threat to themselves
and/or others.
- It would have resulted
in more bureaucracy leading to less patient
care.
- It would have lead to people
receiving inadequate services due to bed blocking,
overstretching of community psychiatric services
and thousands of people having to fall back
on primary care services.
- Without massive extra resources,
it would have failed in its objective of preventing
people with mental illnesses committing homicide
and suicide; and would have made ordinary mental
health care unworkable in practice.
We must now keep the pressure on Government to ensure
that any proposed changes to mental health law are
just and workable. Watch this space!
For Depression Alliance's full response to the bill,
click here.
Survey
Shows That Unrealistic Workloads Are To Blame For
Increasing Rates of Depression And Stress At Work.
[top]
The results of a survey released as part of the
National Depression Week™ 2002 campaign by Depression
Alliance clearly show that many people with depression
who have sought help from their employers are still
being made ill through unrealistic workloads and
bad management.
The results, launched at the start of National Depression Week™ (8th - 14th April 2002), which concentrated
on depression and work, shows that employers can
no longer ignore a condition that is as dangerous
as cancer and heart disease.
The UK now has one of the highest attempted suicide
rates in Europe, with a massive 50% increase since
1990. At least three-quarters of suicides are the
result of depression, with more than 7,000 people
taking their own lives each year in the UK and Ireland.
One of the most striking results from the survey
of 200 people was the number who had had told their
employers about their illness but who had received
little or no support from managers and were struggling
under unrealistic workloads. Worryingly, over a
quarter of people interviewed (29%) felt their depression
was caused or made worse by unrealistic workloads,
with 35% of people blaming bad management. This
has serious implications for employers everywhere
as the number of people off sick from work increases,
costing industry billions of pounds each year.
Depression Alliance's Director, Jim Thomson, says:
"It is incredible that at the
beginning of the third Millennium, with employers
demanding ever-greater commitment from and exerting
ever-greater pressure on employees, depression
and stress are by and large not taken seriously
in the workplace. The employee affected by depression,
often wary of turning to the employer, simply
has no release valve".
In another blow to employers, when asked whether
workers felt they were always offered the support
they needed only 11% were able to say yes.
Surprisingly, results show that many more people
are finding it easier to inform their colleagues
and managers of their illness with only 1.5% of
interviewees declaring that they had not disclosed
their illness to anyone. However, most people
interviewed (23%) were only prompted to tell their
employer of their illness after they had been
unwell for a period. With people now being more
open about their condition, Depression Alliance
is calling for the government and employers to
act quickly and responsibly in supporting workers
and those who are unable to work through depression
and stress.
As part of National Depression Week™ , Depression
Alliance has launched its training programme aimed
at employers and employees to help them better
cope with depression and stress in the workplace.
The message behind this year's National Depression Week™ is that early intervention and a better understanding
of depression and stress in the workplace will
save time, money and lives.
Annual
General Meeting 2003 [top]
Members of Depression Alliance gathered at the
Headquarters of the Mothers Union in London on
July 5 for the charity's Annual General Meeting.
It was the first to be held since it became a
Company Limited by Guarantee earlier this year.
Anne Brookes the Depression Alliance Chair led
the meeting. The reports spoke of a positive vibrant
charity that was giving more help to increasing
numbers of people. The teams in London, Cardiff
and Edinburgh have worked very hard to build a
stronger, more focussed and responsive organisation.
Services remained very popular and A Single Step
had been re-launched in a different format to
meet the changing needs of the charity. The website
had grown from an average of 6500 individual visits
a week at the start of the year to an incredible
20,000 a week at the end of the year. The Communications
section had expanded during the year, making more
resource material available to enquirers and dealing
with a growing number of media consultations.
Financially the charity ended the year with a
small surplus. However, despite fundraising in
the voluntary sector being highly competitive
and mental illness not a popular cause, our drive
to raise funds for campaigning and to support
the services remains a high priority.
The rest of the morning was given to a brilliant
lecture by Dr Tim Cantopher, the Medical Director
of the Priory Hospital, Sturt. His theme, based
on his recently published book of the same title
was Depressive Illness, the Curse of the Strong.
His hypothesis went clean against the beliefs
of many depressed people who think that their
illness is a sign of weakness. He argued that
far from being a sign of weakness, depression
was often associated with strong caring people
who were trying to over-achieve and to care too
much - he compared it to a fuse in an electrical
circuit, a means of defence against excessive
and damaging strain. He then outlined ways by
which those affected could cope with their problems
and come through them.
Lunch was provided, then members spent the afternoon
in discussion groups. It was good to welcome Danny
Jackson and Shawn Martin on board as Trustees.
We still have six vacancies on the trustee board
and are actively looking for appropriately qualified
people to join us - please contact Anne or Alison
if you would like to know more.
The day was expertly organised by Julia Cosby
at one of the best venues that we have ever used.
The atmosphere was optimistic and positive about
the future. Almost more important it was one of
friendship, mutual support and compassion; for
all its professionalism DA has not lost the personal
touch that has always been at its heart.
If you would like to receive a copy of the Annual
Report and accounts presented to the AGM, please
send a cheque or postal order for £2.00
payable to Depression Alliance, to: Depression
Alliance, 35 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1
7JB.
The
Truth About Antidepressants And Side Effects
[top]
Have you been prescribed an antidepressant but
are worried about the side effects? Is a member
of your family taking medication for depression
and you want to know more? Depression Alliance
has launched a new booklet to help you understand
more about antidepressant medicines. Called Depression
& Antidepressants, the guide provides practical,
impartial information about antidepressants currently
available, and avoids the use of medical language
and technical jargon.
Indeed, one in five of us will suffer from depression
at some point during our lifetime and about one
in 20 of us visit our GP because of it. While
milder forms of depression may be treated by self-help
or talking therapies such as counselling, people
with moderate and severe depression often benefit
from treatment with one of the 30 antidepressants
now available in the UK.
Reviewed by antidepressant expert Stephen Bazire,
Director of Pharmacy Services, Norfolk Mental
Health Care Trust, the booklet provides answers
to commonly asked patient questions such as: How
well do antidepressants work? Are some antidepressants
better than others? And don't antidepressants
have unpleasant side effects? The guide reviews
the use of different types of antidepressant -
from older MAOIs and TCAs to commonly prescribed
SSRIs and newer types of drugs such as NaSSAs.
Commenting on the new booklet, Jim Thompson, [former] Director,
Depression Alliance, said:
"It's important that people seek
help when they feel depressed because it is a
treatable illness. People shouldn't feel ashamed
or embarrassed. Antidepressants are one approach
and it's important that people have as much information
to hand about them as possible, in an easy-to-understand
and balanced format."
For a free copy of this leaflet, do contact us on
020 7633 0557 or email information@depressionalliance.org)
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