People affected by depression face an uncertain, confusing and often frightening experience and that is if they even get as far as seeking help. Widespread misunderstanding and stigma is prevalent across Europe. Patients continue to face huge problems. Rates and quality of diagnoses and treatment vary dramatically. Legislators and regulators issue guidelines irrespective of whether there is an infrastructure to support them – and without adequate monitoring and evaluation of their implementation. Europe is still very much divided.
The European Depression Association (EDA) was formed with a strong focus on raising awareness of Depression at a European level through the annual European Depression Day campaign. The organisation is formulated so that should the potential for further activities arise, it can respond accordingly. Each participating country has a representative who provides the secretariat for the European Depression Day at a local level, promoting the campaign in their country and recruiting advisors to the scientific advisory board. The representatives attend meetings in Brussels to discuss the theme of the campaign, develop EDA as an organisation, provide information about the country they represent and discuss future work. At present, securing the involvement of all countries in the EU and any new members is of high priority. The fundamental principle behind the EDA is that through collaborative working we can maximise resources, react strategically, lobby effectively, and create a better environment for those affected by depression.
Beyond the National Voice
Traditionally Clinicians and researchers have led the way forward in promoting a better understanding of depression - often in relative isolation. There is very little sharing of information, because there is no framework or forum to do so. Researchers do not commonly share information – resulting in huge duplication of effort. Governments often speak (and listen) to only the largest organisations and opinion-leaders are very often frustrated at the pace of development in mental health. The press and broadcast media display little knowledge of mental health issues – frequently only covering the most negative issues. Finally, the pharmaceutical industry (whose core purpose is to produce medicines of benefit to people) is often treated if not as a pariah, then merely as anecessary evil in the search for funds. Or both. Against this backdrop, it is easy to see how much more effectively (and cost-effectively) people could work.
The time has come to work collaboratively, bringing together mental health expertise across Europe Key clinicians, researchers and advocates can take advantage of the opportunity to operate in an environment where their respective skills are used to optimum effect – the European Depression Association.
The proposal is a relatively simple one. A co-ordinated campaign – the European Depression Day – will bring together and galvanise mental health organisations and lead-ers, patient groups, the media, corporate sector partners, and statutory agencies in the countdown to 2020
European Depression Day 2005 looked at what treatments for depression really work. The current environment has led patients to distrust medication and dismiss talking treatments as ‘psychobabble’. There are a bewildering array of self-help options and these are often used as an alternative to professional care. The campaign highlighted the evidence base for treatments, rebuilding confidence in the medical professional and underlining that depression is a real illness for which there are many treatments available. The 2005 theme of Depression: what works? gives us the opportunity to establish ourselves as an evidence-based organisation with a real patient focus.
In 2006 we will survey people across Europe in order to establish how depression is viewed and set the agenda for future campaigns.
The Aims
 To establish depression as a leading cause of disability across Europe
 To establish depression as a treatable condition
 To promote understanding of the causes and triggers of depression
 To understand and reduce stigma
 To enable all sectors of society to react to the burden of depression positively
The Scientific Committees
Each member country is building its own scientific committee formed of leading figures in research, healthcare, advocacy, policy and media. The committee will advise the EDA national representative and help promote European Depression Day. Two representatives from each country will form the European scientific committee, ensuring a heterogeneity of opinions.
In each member country we have seen the growth of a scientific committee board and through collaboration have been able to share knowledge and resources. We now face a future armed with success and a determination to spread the work of the European Depression Association even further. We have links to other global NGOs including the World Federation of Mental Health and we have a clear programme of work, designed to raise depression up the healthcare and political agendas.
The Website
The website is a much needed reference point for anyone working in the field of depression. It will predominantly support those working in the field of depression, providing a library of knowledge, but will also act as a campaign and communication tool and give referral information to the general public.
We need your support. Come and join us
http://www.eddas.org