A guide to keeping the blues away

Dr Cate Howell with her new book Keeping the Blues Away.
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Wednesday, 28 March 2007

A guide to keeping depression at bay will be launched in Adelaide this Friday 30 March by the SA Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the Hon. Gail Gago.

University of Adelaide researcher Dr Cate Howell has developed a primary care treatment manual and CD called Keeping the Blues Away, aimed at reducing the severity and relapse of depression which affects more than one million adults and 100,000 young people in Australia each year.

Keeping the Blues Away is a multi-faceted guide which includes psychological and social aspects combined into a 10-step program. A manual and relaxation CD are included in the resource kit.

General practitioners in Adelaide have endorsed the program after trialling it with 100 patients over the past 12 months.

"Depression is often a relapsing or recurring problem and it can be associated with anxiety," Dr Howell says.

"It is a very common problem that can affect people from all walks of life, from politicians to sporting heroes, and of all ages. It impacts on the individual, their family and the community."

In 2004, as part of her doctoral studies, Dr Howell began developing a primary care treatment program aimed at reducing the relapse of depression.

"The book is written for patients to use, ideally guided by a GP or mental health professional. There has been very limited research into relapse prevention programs in the past, but this literature supports a range of treatment strategies that help prevent the recurrence of depression."

Dr Howell is a general practitioner and senior lecturer in the Discipline of General Practice at the University of Adelaide. She is also Director of the University's Primary Care Mental Health Unit.

WHAT: Launch of Keeping the Blues Away
WHEN: Friday 30 March, 5.15pm
WHERE: Relationships Australia Bookshop, 49A Orsmond Street, Hindmarsh
WHO: SA Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the Hon. Gail Gago

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