Charity produces guidance on services for patients with anxiety and depression

This week Depression Alliance presented its Daring to Choose report at a Parliamentary reception. The report provides 10 recommendations for improving services across national policy, commissioning and front line services.

It highlights the problems that service users face such as the limited choice in treatment options and the inadequacy of information given, and asks that the Government include their recommendations in the New Horizons strategy framework.

The report surveyed 513 members of the Depression Alliance and Patients Association. It showed that a majority feel they have not been given enough information abut depression or the different treatment options, and that 40% feel they were not involved in the treatment choice.

The report identified ‘Barriers to Choice’ such as aspects of NICE guidelines that run counter to choice, a lack of non-medical options in local services and limited training in mental health for health professionals.

Its recommendations include making depression and anxiety a public health priority, strengthening initiatives to combat stigma and discrimination, making a full range of treatment options available and enabling health professionals to provide personalised and diverse care options.including social care.

Emer O’Neill, Chief Executive, Depression Alliance said: ‘We believe choice can empower people suffering from depression and anxiety so that they become partners in their treatment plans, leading ultimately to self-care and recovery.’

It is estimated that one in six people in Britain will suffer from depression at any point in their lives.

To read the report please see the attached PDF.

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