Using mental health guidelines in primary care: the example of depression management

Over 90% of patients with mental health problems are treated in primary care alone.1-2 Depression is by far the most common mental health problem treated in primary care. Studies examining consecutive attendees in general practice have estimated that between 5 and 15% suffer from major depression.3,4 In a practice list of 2000 patients it has been calculated that 60 to 100 people will suffer from depression, 70 to 80 with anxiety and 50 to 60 with a situational disturbance.5