Mental Health (Hansard, 13 June 2003)

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what programmes target depression in at-risk populations. [114535]

§ Jacqui Smith
The national service framework for mental health, published in September 2000 and the national suicide prevention strategy set out programmes of activity to reduce suicide.

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the link between depression and substance abuse in women. [114537]

§ Ms Blears
The Department of Health has not recently commissioned any research on the link between depression and substance abuse in women, as the links between mental health problems and substance misuse are already well established.
However, in 2002, the Department commissioned an evidence based document, Co-existing Problems of Mental Disorder and Substance Misuse (dual diagnosis). This is an information manual for the drugs and mental health field developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit, which highlights the importance of partnership work between the two fields.
In addition to this, The National Treatment Agency has developed the 'Models of Care' document, which is effectively a national service framework for substance misuse. 'Models of Care' alerts treatment agencies to the risk of women who have accessed treatment developing recurrent mental health problems including eating disorders, self-mutilation, suicide attempts and low self-esteem.

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what efforts are being made proactively to diagnose depression during pregnancy. [114538]

§ Jacqui Smith
General practitioners, health visitors and midwives work very closely with expectant mothers in the ante-natal phase. This will include discussions and assessment, in some cases of mood and feelings. Pregnant women who are already in contact with mental health services are monitored and treated for depression if necessary.
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§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Beating the Blues cognitive behaviour programme piloted in Hungerford for dealing with depression problems. [115096]

§ Jacqui Smith
No direct assessment has been made of the computerised cognitive behavioural treatment for depression called Beating the Blues. However, the Department of Health commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to appraise this and similar approaches. The report was published in October 2002 and is available on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk. The appraisal will be reviewed again in due course.