What are the Top 10 depression research priorities?

The Depression: ARQ project has identified the most important research priorities according to people affected by depression, their friends and family, and health care professionals.

Using the James Lind Alliance methodology for a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) these top ten priorities have been established for future research.

An online survey captured approximately 10,000 questions about depression from more than 3,000 people who identified as having experience of depression, being a family member or friend of someone who has, or a healthcare professional. These questions were then condensed into the ‘Top 10’ priorities for research.

Top 10 Depression Research Priorities:

  1. What are the most effective ways to prevent occurrence and recurrence of depression?
  2. What are the best early interventions (treatments and therapies) for depression and how early should they be used in order to result in the best patient outcomes?
  3. What are the best ways to train healthcare professionals to recognise and understand depression?
  4. What is the impact on a child of having a parent with depression and can a parent prevent their child from also developing depression?
  5. What are the best ways to inform people with depression about treatment options and their effectiveness in order to empower them and help with self-manage?
  6. What are the barriers and enablers for people accessing care/treatment when they are depressed, including when feeling suicidal, and how can these be addressed?
  7. Does depression impact employment? How can discrimination and stigma of depression in the workplace be overcome, and how can employers and colleagues be informed about depression?
  8. What are the best ways to help friends and family members to support people with depression?
  9. Are educational programmes on depression effective in schools for reducing stigma?
  10. What is the impact of wait times for services for people with depression?

The primary aim is for the ‘Top 10’ to  inform researchers and funders so that they can focus on priorities set by patients.

To find out more about the project go to www.depressionarq.org

Read more about the project on MQ News.

 

The project is supported by the James Lind Alliance and MQ.

How do you rate this page?

Thank you for your feedback

Follow us on social media to stay up to date

We are sorry you did not find this page helpful

Tell us how we can improve this page

Published: 3 February 2016