Depression is a common disorder in the Australian community and most patients with depression will be treated by a GP.  The best outcomes are likely when adequate treatment is provided over a long enough time.  Potentially reducing the risk of dementia is only one of the many reasons to identify and effectively treat depression.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ Red Book briefly outlines the guidelines for detecting and managing depression in primary care practice.  There is evidence for opportunistic screening for depression in adults, provided there is effective treatment and follow up offered to those found to have depression. Clinicians should maintain a high level of awareness for depressive symptoms in patients at high risk for depression.

The Black Dog Institute health professionals website has a wide range of information and resources, including information, education and a newsletter tailored for GPs.

The beyondblue website has a wide range of information on depression for health professionals, including fact sheets and resources, information about training opportunities, assessment scales, journal articles and reports.

The beyondblue guidelines for treating depression in primary care provide details of the recommendations for assessment and treatment of mild to severe depression by GPs.

The beyondblue Guide to the management of depression in primary care - Guide for health professionals provides information about and tools for assessing the problem, making the diagnosis and planning management.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists provide clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of depression, which include detailed treatment recommendations.  The RANZCP website also has clinical guidelines for other related mental disorders.

The beyondblue Fact sheet 24 - Help for depression under Medicare provides an overview of the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through the MBS' initiative (commonly referred to as Better Access to Mental Health Care) focusing on who is eligible, what services are involved and what the cost is.