Depression

The UK NSC policy on Depression screening in adults

More Information

Depression is a serious illness. Health professionals use the terms depression, depressive illness or clinical depression to refer to something very different from the common experience of feeling miserable or fed-up for a short period of time. When you’re depressed, you may have feelings of extreme sadness that can last for a long time. These feelings are severe enough to interfere with your daily life, and can last for weeks or months, rather than days.

» Read more about depression on NHS Choices

» See also the UK NSC policy on Postnatal depression

Policy Position

Routine screening of the population or subsets of the population for depression is not recommended by the UK NSC.

This policy was reviewed in Apr 2010 but no significant changes were made. It is due to be considered again in 2013/14, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.

Evidence Supporting the Policy

The UK NSC held a workshop on screening for postnatal depression in July 2001.

Stakeholders

The British Psychological Society
Depression Alliance
National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health
Royal College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Psychiatrists

The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.

Related documents

More options