Recognition and management of depression in general practice: consensus statement.

on behalf of conference participants Depression is a frequently occurring psychiatric dis- order, and most depressed patients in the United Kingdom are treated in general practice. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, in association with the Royal College of General Practitioners, has embarked on a "defeat depression" campaign.' Anticipating that an increased proportion of the large numbers of the general population who do not at present receive treatment for depressive illness will present to helping agencies, the two colleges are preparing professional educational materials and guidelines.