Depression in the perinatal period: awareness, attitudes and knowledge in the Australian population.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a benchmark of awareness, knowledge and attitudes in Australia in relation to depression and its treatment in the perinatal period, and to identify demographic factors associated with perinatal mental health literacy. METHOD: A cross-sectional telephone survey (n = 1201) of a randomly selected sample of adults in each State and Territory of Australia, conducted in late 2009. RESULTS: Depression was the most frequently cited general health problem for women after childbirth (43.6% of spontaneous responses), in contrast to previous findings of low awareness of depression generally. A total of 94% of adults believed that postnatal depression requires specialized treatment. Older Australians (55 + years) identified postnatal depression less readily than younger Australians. Although well recognized as a specific mental health issue, as a general health issue antenatal depression had low recognition and was viewed by 52% of respondents as 'normal'. Community beliefs about perinatal rates of depression appeared realistic. Men and women differed in their knowledge and beliefs about the symptoms and causes of postnatal depression. Difficulty in mother-infant bonding was seen as a common sign of postnatal depression, particularly by women. Most commonly, postnatal depression was perceived as having a biological rather than psychosocial etiology (30% of men, 41% of women). Recognition of anxiety in the postnatal period was relatively low, although higher among those with mental health training. Over 80% of Australians believed that all new mothers should be routinely assessed for depression. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of postnatal depression appeared to be at a high level in the community, but both anxiety and antenatal depression were comparatively under-recognized, suggesting there is considerable scope for awareness-raising. Established risk factors for postnatal depression were not coherently recognized. Ongoing tracking of perinatal mental health literacy in Australia is likely to be valuable in assessing the impact of future public awareness efforts.

Detection and management of mood disorders in the maternity setting: the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Mood disorders arising in the perinatal period (conception to the first postnatal year), occur in up to 13% of women. The adverse impact of mood disorders on mother, infant and family with potential long-term consequences are well documented. There is a need for clear, evidence-based, guidelines for midwives and other maternity care providers. AIM: To describe the process undertaken to develop the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression and Related Disorders in the Perinatal Period and to highlight the key recommendations and their implications for the maternity sector. METHOD: Using NHMRC criteria, a rigorous systematic literature review was undertaken synthesising the evidence used to formulate graded guideline recommendations. Where there was insufficient evidence for recommendations, Good Practice Points were formulated. These are based on lower quality evidence and/or expert consensus. FINDINGS: The quality of the evidence was good in regards to the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and psychological interventions, but limited as regards medication use and safety perinatally. Recommendations were made for staff training in psychosocial assessment; universal screening for depression across the perinatal period; and the use of evidence based psychological interventions for mild to moderate depression postnatally. Good Practice Points addressed the use of comprehensive psychosocial assessment--including risk to mother and infant, and consideration of the mother-infant interaction--and gave advice around the use and safety of psychotropic medications in pregnancy and breastfeeding. In contrast to their international counterparts, the Australian guidelines emphasize a more holistic, woman and family centred approach to the management of mental health and mood disorders in the perinatal setting. CONCLUSION: The development of these Guidelines is a first step in translating evidence into practice and providing Australian midwives and other maternity care providers with clear guidance on the psychosocial management of women and families.

Perspectives of young people on depression: awareness, experiences, attitudes and treatment preferences.

AIM: Ascertaining current knowledge and attitudes towards depression among young people is vital for developing campaigns promoting community awareness and early intervention. METHODS: Cross-sectional computer-assisted telephone interviews of persons aged 18-90 years were conducted by beyondblue in Australia in 2002 and 2004/05. Items assessed consideration of depression as a major general health or mental health problem, knowledge about prevalence of depression, usual age of onset for depression or anxiety and treatment preferences. RESULTS: The surveys included 2003 and 3200 persons, respectively, with 285 and 400 aged between 18 and 25 years. Depression was not recognized by young persons as a major general health problem (1-2% of responses), but was the most frequently named mental health problem (37-42%). Younger persons were more likely than older persons to see depression as the major mental health problem, placing less emphasis on alcohol and other drug problems. They preferred first to seek help from family or friends (61-65%) and try non-pharmacological treatments. Although understanding of the helpfulness of several evidence-based treatments was good, many younger respondents still considered non-evidence-based treatments to be helpful. A quarter of subjects believed antidepressant medications were harmful and that alcohol use may be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: Although knowledge about depression was good, young people do not recognize depression as a major general health problem and remain reluctant to use professional services. These attitudes represent significant barriers to seeking treatment early in the course of common mental health problems.

Positive relationships between public awareness activity and recognition of the impacts of depression in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: This report records the level of exposure to depression-related information across the Australian community and explores associations with recognition of depression and relevant sociodemographic factors. METHOD: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted with a representative community sample. Participants consisted of 3200 respondents (400 respondents across each Australian State/Territory). RESULTS: Sixty-five point four per cent (n=2089/3193) of respondents indicated that they or someone close to them had experienced depression, of whom 18.7% (n=391/2089) reported a personal experience of this illness. Various measures of recent exposure to depression-related information were high with 69.0% (n=2207/3200) reporting that they had seen, read or heard something in the media in the last 12 months. Recognition of beyondblue: the national depression initiative was also surprisingly high (61.9%, 1982/3200). Those with greater understanding that depression is common and debilitating were more likely to recall recent media stories, spontaneously recall relevant organizations such as beyondblue, to have had direct or family experiences, to be younger and to have achieved higher levels of education. Depression, however, is rarely mentioned (1.3%, 47/3720) as a major general health as distinct from a mental health problem. CONCLUSION: The active promotion of depression-related material to the community appears to have contributed to recognition of the commonality and impacts of this illness. Although depression is commonly recognized as a mental health problem, it is not yet considered a major general health problem. Further, like many public health campaigns, those initially reached appear more likely to be female, younger, better educated and residing in metropolitan areas.

Monitoring awareness of and attitudes to depression in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the degree of recognition and understanding of depression and its treatments in Australia in 2001, and detail factors and personal experiences that influence awareness of and attitudes to depression. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey of a representative community sample (900 randomly selected respondents), via telephone interview, conducted 5-7 October 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reports of community awareness, knowledge and attitudes to depression and its treatments in Australia. RESULTS: The Australian community does not view mental health as a major general health issue. When asked specifically, depression was recognised as the most common mental health problem. Recognition of depression was greater among women and younger people. Most people (58%; 508/879) reported that they or a family member had experienced depression. People younger than 55 years and people with personal or family experiences of depression viewed depression as more disabling than other chronic medical conditions. Half the respondents differentiated depression from normal sadness. Awareness of common risk versus protective factors was limited. Most people endorsed a preference for self-help and non-pharmacological treatments, but community views of antidepressant drugs were less negative than expected. General practitioners were identified as the preferred point of first contact among healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Although mental health is still not highlighted as a major health issue, Australians do recognise depression as the major mental health problem. Women and younger people have more substantial knowledge about key aspects of depression and its treatments.

Experience with treatment services for people with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences of people with bipolar disorder with primary care and specialist mental health services. DESIGN AND SETTING: Focus groups and indepth interviews were conducted in seven Australian capital cities between July 2002 and April 2003. Thematic analyses were conducted using the QSR NUD*IST software package for qualitative data. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-nine people with bipolar disorder participated in the focus groups and four participated in the interviews. RESULTS: Thematic analyses highlighted eight key themes. Most notably, respondents identified a lack of awareness and understanding about bipolar disorder within the Australian community, which contributed to apparent delays in seeking medical assessment. The burden of illness was exacerbated by difficulties experienced with obtaining an accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. The healthcare system responses were described as inadequate and included inappropriate crisis management, difficulties accessing hospital care, inappropriate exclusion of carers and families from management decisions, and frequent discontinuities of medical and psychological care. CONCLUSIONS: People with extensive experience of bipolar disorder report barriers to optimal care because of lack of community understanding and healthcare system shortcomings. These barriers exacerbate the social, interpersonal and economic costs of this illness.

How much more can we lose?": carer and family perspectives on living with a person with depression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of carers and families of people with depression. DESIGN AND SETTING: Structured focus groups conducted in six Australian capital cities between February 2002 and July 2002. Thematic analyses were conducted using the QSR NUD*IST software package for qualitative data. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven carers or family members. RESULTS: Thematic analyses highlighted five key themes. Most notably, the carer's role is made more difficult by the lack of community awareness about depression, and, in some instances, an unwillingness of other family and friends to provide ongoing support. Carers experience a resulting sense of isolation, often exacerbated by adverse experiences with healthcare providers. Carers and family members are frequently excluded when key decisions are made, and report that emergency services are relatively unresponsive to their concerns. By contrast, community support organisations usually provided a sense of inclusion and common purpose. CONCLUSIONS: The experiences of carers and families of people with depression highlight the urgent need for more extensive community education about the illness and more productive collaboration within the healthcare system.

Exploring the perspectives of people whose lives have been affected by depression.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the experiences of people whose lives have been affected by depression. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Thematic review of data collected from 21 community meetings (1529 people, providing 911 evaluation forms) and nine focus groups (69 individuals) held nationally, and written feedback and website-based interactions with beyondblue: the national depression initiative between April and December 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Barriers to social participation experienced by people whose lives have been affected by depression, and their interactions with the healthcare system. RESULTS: The key theme was the experience of stigma, which was evident in healthcare settings and in barriers to social participation, particularly regarding employment. Inadequacies of primary care and specialist treatment systems were highlighted. Particular emphasis was placed on limited access to high-quality primary care and non-pharmacological care. The stigmatising attitudes of many healthcare providers were notable. Within society, lack of access to knowledge and self-care or mutual support services was evident. Lack of support both from and for people in caring roles was also emphasised. CONCLUSIONS: People with depression are subject to many of the same attitudes, inadequate healthcare and social barriers reported by people with psychotic disorders. Consumers and carers prioritise certain notions of illness, recovery and quality of healthcare, and expect healthcare providers to respond to these concerns.