GPs will play a key role in a new WA campaign to improve the care of people with depression and prevent suicidal behaviour.
The WA Primary Health Alliance campaign ‘Depression starts small, get help before it grows’ aims to raise awareness of the early symptoms of depression and promote help seeking behaviours among patients.
The campaign plays into the age-old metaphor of depression as a black dog, only this time it is depicted using a black puppy to symbolise how it can start off as mild to moderate depression.
WAPHA chief executive Learne Durrington said the campaign supports the alliance’s GP-centric approach to managing depression.
“GPs play an integral role in our approach because they are the health professionals accessed most often by those experiencing mental health issues and/or engaging in suicidal behaviour,” she said.
“We also know GPs have reported that depression and anxiety are two of the most common health issues they manage, and depression is highly correlated with suicidal behaviour.”
As a result of the campaign, which will run throughout October and November on social media and both free to air and on-demand television, GPs may see an increase in patients discussing symptoms of depression.
While many communities across WA will see and benefit from the campaign, the campaign will focus on youth and men in the Swan, Armadale, Goldfields, Bunbury, Manjimup and Esperance regions.
The locations were identified through a combination of WAPHA needs assessments, community readiness such as established suicide prevention support groups, and access to primary care.
Alongside the campaign, WAPHA has organised activities to support clinicians to improve care and respond to those in need of mental health support, including events on depression management and suicide prevention for GPs, multidisciplinary teams, and pharmacists, and the development of a quick-access resource for GPs with contact details for support services.
Depression affects one in seven Australians and can lead to serious mental and physical health concerns if left untreated.
“This thought-provoking campaign is the culmination of many months of research, interviews with people with lived experience and discussions with primary care clinicians and mental health professionals,” Ms Durrington said.
“The message we want to get across is that getting on top of depression early, before it grows, is important and that you don’t need to deal with this alone.”
To support patients in seeking help, GPs can direct them to the Head to Health website where they can find a range of resources for understanding depression.
Head to Health provides access to mental health information, services and supports for adults delivered by multidisciplinary teams, including immediate support and follow up for people in crisis, and short-to-medium term care for those with moderate to severe mental health needs.
Head to Health can also be accessed by calling 1800 595 212. No GP referral or appointment is needed, and interpreting services are available. GPs can also refer into Head to Health on the same number.
Patients can also seek help by visiting one of WA’s five Medicare Mental Health Centres. https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/head-to-health-services
Clinician Assist WA, which has replaced HealthPathways WA, also has a range of resources on depression management for general practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUmHVYWpC0c
https://www.wapha.org.au/about-us/our-priorities/mental-health/suicide-prevention/#clinical