The UK NSC recommendation on Screening for Depression in adults
Recommendation |
Systematic population screening programme not recommended |
Last review completed |
July 2020 |
Next review due in |
2023/24 |
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Key downloads |
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The UK NSC carried out an evidence review in 2020 for screening for depression in adults.
The recommendation remains that screening is not recommended because:
· the test would wrongly identify a large number of people as having depression
· it is uncertain if screening would reduce the negative impact of depression
· it is not known if treating milder depression reduces the development of more severe depression in the longer term
· it is unclear how well depression is identified and managed in the UK at present
National clinical guidelines on recognition and management of depression in adults are available to inform practice.
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Find general information about population health screening.
Why is screening not recommended by UK NSC?
The UK NSC carried out an evidence review in 2020 for screening for depression in adults.
The recommendation remains that screening is not recommended because:
- the test would wrongly identify a large number of people as having depression
- it is uncertain if screening would reduce the negative impact of depression
- it is not known if treating milder depression reduces the development of more severe depression in the longer term
- it is unclear how well depression is identified and managed in the UK at present
National clinical guidelines on recognition and management of depression in adults are available to inform practice.
More about Depression
Depression is a common mental health condition and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. People who are depressed may have feelings of extreme sadness that can last for a long time and can be severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Read more about depression on the NHS website
Read the UK NSC recommendation on antenatal and postnatal mental health
Stakeholders
• The British Psychological Society
• Depression Alliance
• Faculty of Public Health
• National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health
• Royal College of General Practitioners
• Royal College of Nursing
• Royal College of Physicians
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
E-mail addresses of the above stakeholders:
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the recommendation is next reviewed.
If you think your organisation should be added, please
contact us.
More information for stakeholders can be found in appendix C of the UK NSC evidence review process.
Related documents
Evidence summary- depression (2014) (PDF document, 550KB, 09/12/19)
UK NSC coversheet and consultation responses- depression (2015) (PDF document, 633KB, 09/12/19)More options
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