Das "Nürnberger Bündnis gegen Depression"

Background: Recent studies showed the increasing importance of depressive disorders. Despite good treatment possibilities (pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy) only a minority of patients receive adequate treatment. One of the most dramatic consequences is a big number of suicides. Methods: Within the competence network on depression and suicidality (founded by the German Ministry for Education and Research) a multi-level program was carried out in 2001 and 2002: the “Nuremberg Alliance against Depression”. In the centre of the activities was the optimisation of diagnosis and therapy in primary care. Family doctors received continuous education and different screening tools were established. Brochures and videos were produced to improve patients` knowledge of symptoms, causes and treatment possibilities. Besides that an intense information campaign was started (posters, lectures, cinema spot, leaflets etc.). Moreover a close cooperation with other community facilitators (priests, geriatric nurses, teachers etc.) should improve awareness towards depression and suicidality. Finally, special support for patients and their relatives was provided. A telephone hotline for persons after suicide attempt offered help in the case of a further suicidal crisis. Main outcome criteria of the study was the reduction of suicidal acts (suicides and suicide attempts) in comparison to a baseline-year (2000) and a control region (Wuerzburg). Results: The results for the first year of intervention (2001) show a significant decrease of suicidal acts in Nuremberg compared to the baseline and to the control region. Suicidal acts dropped from 620 cases to 500 cases (p=0.046). The decrease of persons committing a suicide attempt was 21.6% (375 vs. 475 cases) and differed significantly from the control region (p=0.008). Completed suicides decreased from 100 to 75 (-25%) which was not significant compared to the control region where a similar reduction in suicide rates was observed.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Althaus, David

Repository record source_url

https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2064/

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de:2064