Country Stories

Transforming Mental Health: Standardising the treatment, prevention, and management of depression in China

Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), The Depression Cohort in China | 04 Sep 2024

Depression, characterised by persistent low mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time, has become a major public health problem especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Early screening for depressive symptoms and timely identification of depressive disorders may improve health outcomes for affected individuals and the cost-effectiveness of mental health programmes.

The Depression Cohort in China (DCC) was conducted in 80 primary care centers in Shenzhen by a team of researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University, University of Toronto and Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control. The project which ran from 2018 to 2023 explored the standardisation of prevention and treatment of depression including depression screening, detection, and treatment for local residents.