Ian B. Hickie|Georgina Luscombe|Tracey A Davenport|Jane Burns|Nicole Highet
Perspectives of young people on depression: awareness, experiences, attitudes and treatment preferences
MIND Research Institute|University of Sydney|MIND Research Institute|University of Sydney|MIND Research Institute|University of Sydney|Inspire Institute|Inspire Foundation
ascertaining current knowledge attitudes towards depression among young people vital developing campaigns promoting community awareness early interventioncrosssectional computerassisted telephone interviews persons aged 1890 years conducted beyondblue australia 2002 200405 items assessed consideration depression major general health mental health problem knowledge prevalence depression usual age onset depression anxiety treatment preferencesthe surveys included 2003 3200 persons respectively 285 400 aged 18 25 years depression recognized young persons major general health problem 12 responses frequently named mental health problem 3742 younger persons likely older persons see depression major mental health problem placing less emphasis alcohol drug problems preferred first seek help family friends 6165 try nonpharmacological treatments although understanding helpfulness several evidencebased treatments good many younger respondents still considered nonevidencebased treatments helpful quarter subjects believed antidepressant medications harmful alcohol use may helpfulalthough knowledge depression good young people recognize depression major general health problem remain reluctant use professional services attitudes represent significant barriers seeking treatment early course common mental health problems