Research Update: Is it Possible to Prevent Major Depression?

Laura Captari

?Depression is one of the single greatest mental health challenges in today?s world. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that?1 in 10 U.S. adults report depression.? We all have ?bad days,? but Major Depression can cripple a life, a marriage, and an entire family system. It?s a reality nobody wants to live in.

Treating major depression is one thing, but prevention would be far better. Is that even possible? Nearly 30 years ago, science said ?no.? A 1984 National Institute of Mental Health brochure asserted, ?In general, the onset of a clinical depression cannot be prevented.?

No longer! Thanks to in-depth research using randomized control trials, we now know that this simply isn?t true. While there is still much unknown, multiple empirically supported treatments have been identified for use with diverse populations.

A 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report gives strong evidence that major depression can indeed be prevented! Rather than focusing solely on treating major depression, the mental health field is increasingly highlighting the importance (and ability!) to prevent Major Depressive Episodes and thus, Major Depressive Disorder.

In an American Psychologist article earlier this year, Mu?oz, Beardslee, and Leykin report on scientific evidence for the prevention of Major Depressive Episodes and Disorder. Research to date has found that identifying at-risk populations and offering cognitive-behavioral and psycho-educational approaches before depression develops seems to be the key in stopping Major Depressive Disorder before it starts. Families under stress, postpartum mothers, professionals who have lost their jobs, seriously ill individuals, and the elderly have all benefited from preventative action.

Finding Strength and Resiliency

While the exact treatment protocol may vary, strengths-based approaches that build resiliency are critical. The researchers report, ?[S]trengths and positive mental health are more than the absence of pathology?[I]nterventions that increase strengths have an importance evidence base.?

At a community, family and individual level, counselors and clinicians are teaching people how to cope with life stressors and function in a healthy way, rather than turning to addictions or maladaptive behaviors. Life has its hardships?whether the death of a loved one, job loss, a natural disaster, or a relationship break-up. This type of preventative work greatly decreases the likelihood that clients will develop depression when a stressful life event hits home.

Technology is also being incorporated in a number of therapeutic tasks. One intervention of note is MoodGYM, an internet-based CBT program targeting adolescents at risk for depression and anxiety. In a research sample of nearly 1,500 teens, MoodGYM was found to be effective in managing and reducing depressive symptoms, as well as preventing Major Depressive Disorder among males.

Practical Applications

A Report Brief of the 2009 IOM study offers practical suggestions to clinicians, counselors and caregivers:

1. ?Strengthening families by targeting problems such as substance use or aggressive behavior; teaching effective parenting skills; improving communication; and helping families deal with disruptions (such as divorce) or adversities (such as parental mental illness or poverty).
2. Strengthening individuals by building resilience and skills and improving cognitive processes and behaviors.
3. Preventing specific disorders, such as anxiety or depression, by screening individuals at risk and offering cognitive training or other preventive interventions.
4. Promoting mental health in schools by offering support to children encountering serious stresses; modifying the school environment to promote pro-social behavior; developing students? skills at decision making, self-awareness, and conducting relationships; and targeting violence, aggressive behavior, and substance use.
5. Promoting mental health through health care and community programs by promoting and supporting pro-social behavior, teaching coping skills, and targeting modifiable life-style factors that can affect behavior and emotional health, such as sleep, diet, activity and physical fitness, sunshine and light, and television viewing.?

Twenty-first century treatment and practice for depression and other mental health challenges requires that we think ?outside the box.? More than helping our clients ?get better,? we must seek to help them cultivate strengths ahead of time in order weather the storms of life. Whether it?s online therapy platforms like MoodGYM or resiliency-based trainings for couples, families, and organizations, our goal must be to empower people to thrive?physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

As Christian counselors, our ultimate desire is to help people move toward God, experience healing, and become mature in Christ (1 Cor. 1:27). As research continues to reveal the importance of resiliency factors in preventing depression and other mental health disorders, faith becomes an important consideration. Dr. Harold Koenig?s work in the area of religion and mental health offers strong evidence that faith, prayer, and other spiritual practices can decrease pathological symptoms and increase resiliency and quality of life.

Talk Back: How does this new understanding of resiliency and strength-based approaches impact your work as a Christian caregiver?

Laura Captari serves as the Director of Professional and Public Relations at the American Association of Christian Counselors in Forest, VA. To contact her, email laura@aacc.net.

Source: http://www.aacc.net/2012/11/15/research-update-is-it-possible-to-prevent-major-depression/

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