Survey to examine extent of depression in Ireland

Three out of four people who suffer from depression do not come forward for treatment, according to Aware, the support and advice group for people suffering from depression.

Meanwhile, absenteeism from work due to depression is costing the economy an estimated £170 million a year, Mr Brendan Butler, IBEC's director of social policy, said yesterday.

He was speaking at the launch of Aware's National Depression Survey. The survey, using anonymous questionnaires, is taking place this week in a large sample of workplaces, colleges and general practitioners' surgeries. It aims to gather accurate data on the extent of depression across all ages and social classes. Aware hopes to make the findings available early next year to local health authorities, as a baseline for the rate of depression in their areas.

It is the first national survey on depression and will be carried out in the 32 counties.

The announcement of the survey coincided with the launch of Aware's Depression Awareness Week - DAWN. The week seeks to highlight depression recognition and suicide prevention.

The Aware organisation estimates that one in three people will be affected by depression at some stage in their life. "That is at least one person in every family," commented Dr Patrick McKeon, a psychiatrist at St Patrick's Hospital in Dublin and chairman of Aware.

Community studies show that between 10 and 20 per cent of adolescents suffer major depression, and there is some evidence to suggest that the incidence of depression among the young has increased, according to Aware's report, Suicide in Ireland: A Global Perspective and a National Survey, also launched yesterday.

One of the underlying causes of an increase in depression since the second World War, said Dr McKeon, was the rapid rate of social change and industrialisation. This was set to escalate further, he said.

"Eighty per cent of workers today will still be working in 10 years time," commented Mr Butler. "And there will be enormous technological changes in every workplace."

While some will adapt easily to change, others might find it traumatic, he said. "Accepted measures are needed to allow people who are depressed to come forward. There is still too great a stigma associated with depression.

"IBEC is pleased to be involved in this survey and we would hope to see more proactive employers. This is a serious issue for Ireland."

The survey has been endorsed by both employers through IBEC, and trade unions through ICTU. A total of 30 companies will be surveyed, with an estimated 4,000 employees expected to return questionnaires today. Fifty-three GP surgeries are to offer patients the opportunity to fill in the survey during the week, and with the help of the Union of Students of Ireland and the Trinity College Dublin department of general health practice, it is expected that 6,000 students will return replies.