Depression: latest New Zealand Guidelines

Mental disorders are extremely common in primary care and are a major cause of disability. The most common disorders across populations are anxiety, depression and substance abuse. A new guideline has recently been launched called 'Identification of common mental disorders and management of depression in primary care'. The guideline has a wide scope with separate chapters on young people (focussing on adolescents), adults, women in pregnancy and the postnatal period and older adults. The assessment sections of the guideline also provide guidance on when (and how urgently) to refer to secondary mental health services. The treatment sections of the guideline address the management of depression in primary care and algorithms are provided. The full guideline and the summary guideline are now available online.