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Cited by 117Mental Health Treatment and AccessMental Health and Patient InvolvementSuicide and Self-Harm Studies

First aid for depression: A Delphi consensus study with consumers, carers and clinicians

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Langlands, Robyn L., Jorm, Anthony F., Kelly, Claire M., Kitchener, Betty A.·2008·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2007.05.004
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Abstract

Background It is unclear how members of the public can best support individuals who are developing a depressive episode before appropriate professional help is received.Methods To assess expert consensus, we used the Delphi Method. An expert panel consisting of 167 mental health consumers, carers and clinicians was recruited from developed English-speaking countries. A 99-item questionnaire about how to help someone with depression was developed from a variety of resources. The panel members rated each item according to whether they believed the statement should be included in the first aid recommendations. The results were analysed by comparing consensus rates across the three groups. Three rounds were required to consolidate consensus levels.Results Sixty-four items were endorsed by > or =80% of panel members from all three groups as essential or important. These items were grouped under the following headings: recognising and acknowledging depression; approaching someone who may be depressed; how to be supportive; what is not helpful for a person who may have depression; whether to encourage the person to seek professional help; whether to encourage the person to use self-help strategies; what to do if the person does not want help.Limitations These recommendations may not be applicable outside developed English-speaking countries.Conclusions By informing the content of training courses, these recommendations will improve the provision of first aid to individuals who are developing a depressive episode and facilitate the uptake of appropriate professional help.

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  • Before conducting the study, the authors chose a threshold that required ≥80% of experts to endorse a statement as Essential or Important, on the basis of ≥80% being a commonly employed threshold in mental health research and to be consistent with Delphi studies conducted by three independent ISBD Task Forces.

    “Before conducting the study, we chose a threshold that required ≥ 80% of experts to endorse a statement as Essential or Important, on the basis of ≥ 80% being a commonly employed threshold in mental health research [47, 48, 49], and to be consistent with Delphi studies conducted by three independent ISBD Task Forces [50, 51, 52].”

    From Essential Information About Chronobiology and Chronotherapy for the Optimal Care of People With Bipolar Disorders: An Expert Consensus (2026) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors
Langlands, R. L., Jorm, A. F., Kelly, C. M., & Kitchener, B. A.
Affiliations
The University of Melbourne (AU)
Corresponding author
Jorm, Anthony F.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-01
Volume
105
Issue
1-3
Pages
157-165
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2007.05.004
OpenAlex
W2094870157
Cited by
115
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 6
FWCI
11.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • National Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Keywords
depression, first aid, professional help-seeking, self-help strategies, caregivers, mental health service users, clinician recommendations, expert consensus
MeSH terms
Adult, Attitude to Health, Delphi Technique, Depression, First Aid, Health Personnel, Health Planning Guidelines, Humans, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Patients, Surveys and Questionnaires, Caregivers, Consensus

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