depression - a practical guide

According to the World Health Organization, major depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the most common and widespread of all psychiatric disorders, with one in five people affected by the condition at some point in their life. The WHO estimates that by the year 2020, major depression will be second only by chronic heart disease as an international health burden.

 

Almost 3 million people in the UK are diagnosed as having depression at any one time, but still as many as three in four cases of depression are neither recognised nor treated.

 

Frontline staff are not immune, in fact it appears that health and social care staff are particularly vulnerable. Their clients are also more likely, because of social and economic conditions, to suffer depression without detection or treatment. About 1 in 6 people who experience severe depression eventually commit suicide and 70% of recorded suicides are by people who have experienced some form of depression.

 

Depression is one of the most widely researched of the human afflictions and yet still remains one of the most misunderstood by lay people and professionals. In fact depression responds well to treatment in around three quarters of cases and if done correctly sufferers do not relapse.

 

This course equips staff with a general understanding of what depression is and how it can best be tackled. The aim is not to equip staff with therapeutic skills but they will learn how to be more resourceful in identifying depression and speaking about is in a constructive, informed and helpful way with their clients.

Objectives

.         To provide a clinically sound yet common sense outline

.         Develop a good general understanding of depression

.         Recognise the symptoms and common indicators

.         Demystify this common condition

.         Feel more empowered when dealing with depressed person

.         Spot the risk factors in themselves and others

.         Be aware of the most productive courses of action

Course Content

What is depression  
Different models and views on depression
Risks associated with depression
Individuals, couples and families
Depression in children
Illness, dysfunction and natural responses
Depression & suicide
What leads to depression
Who is most at risk
Talking to a depressed person
Emotional, cognitive, behavioural and physical components
Symptoms, identification and treatments
Drug treatment
Psychotherapy for depression