Resources

 

Health Education Resources

A general information brochure on depression is available from moh@wickliffe.co.nz or by phone order on 04 496 2277 (Order No. HP:4309). 

 

Website and Online Support Services for Young People

The Lowdown site www.thelowdown.co.nz was launched in December 2007. The website was produced in response to a mounting body of evidence showing that young people, who tend not to seek help for depression in spite of having higher prevalence than other age groups, seem to be more receptive to communication via the internet and phone texting. The website is a vehicle where youth can safely talk about their experiences of depression, and get help.

 

The Lowdown site includes musicians, local celebrities and everyday people sharing their personal stories about depression. These have recently been updated to include high profile young sportspeople.

 

A real 3D world allows users to choose a navigator to walk them through the site. In its first two months the site received over 42,000 visitors and provided 3,000 support sessions with a split of 67% text and 33% email sessions. It has exceeded expectations in reaching young people and providing essential support for those experiencing depression. In its first year of operation, there were about 30 young people referred to emergency services due to concerns about their personal safety. thelowdown health education resources

 

Hardcopy brochures and posters for young people on the lowdown are available from the Mental Health Foundation on www.mentalhealth.org.nz 

 

Previews:

 

Supporting People with Depression Primary Care

In a separate but related initiative, primary health organisations (PHOs) have been funded over the last few years to establish new services to address the mental health issues that are increasingly a feature of primary care practice. These primary mental health initiatives are demonstrating very positive results in improving access to effective help for depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol related problems.

 

The work of health professionals in primary care settings will also be supported by the implementation of guidelines on common mental health issues including depression, completed and launched by the NZ Guidelines Group in July 2008. The implementation of these guidelines includes developing an electronic decision support tool for GPs, information resources, workforce development for health professionals, and monitoring of progress.

 

 

Evaluation and Monitoring

There is a comprehensive evaluation and monitoring programme associated with the NDI, which includes

  • A benchmark survey of population attitudes, behaviour and knowledge;
  • Regular tracking surveys to establish any changes in people’s understanding of depression and in behaviour;
  • Qualitative research to inform the development of campaign components such as websites and advertising;
  • Monitoring of demand on primary care in relation to depression;
  • Evaluation reports that bring together a range of data to establish the impact of the campaign.
  • Evaluation of First Nine Months of the National Depression Initiative Public Health Campaign (PDF, 635 KB)

This is a limited evaluation of the first 9 months of the National Depression Initiative (NDI) Public Health Campaign, up to the end of June, 2007.

The latest evaluation report (2011) from Phoenix Research is out soon!

 

The National Depression Initiative Update

A newsletter is produced several times a year to keep people up to date with what’s happening. If you’d like to be put on the email list of people receiving this, please send your details to kaytef@ndi.org.nz

 

The Role of the Ministry of Health

The NDI is funded by the Ministry of Health and led by the Mental Health Promotion Team, within the Ministry’s Population Health Directorate. An internal group made up of Ministry staff from public health, mental health and primary care is working together on the different components of the NDI and the associated primary mental health work programme. The NDI campaign is central to the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy and associated action plan, and is also closely aligned to the Ministry’s longstanding campaign to address stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, Like Minds Like Mine (www.likeminds.org.nz)