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Citation |
Hübner-Liebermann B, Neuner T, Hegerl U, Hajak G, Spießl H. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2010; 32(5): 514-518. |
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Affiliation |
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
20851273 |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND: Since 2003, the Regensburg Alliance Against Depression, the regional partner of the German Alliance Against Depression, has been conducting a four-level intervention program to improve early detection and treatment of patients with depression, which was successfully piloted in the framework of the German Research Network on Depression and Suicidality. METHODS: After 5 years of campaign, the suicide rates before and after the intervention were evaluated in comparison with two control regions and with the German overall rate. FINDINGS: The results show that only the suicide rate in Regensburg fell significantly during the intervention period. The drop in the suicide rate was due to a significant decrease in male suicides. INTERPRETATION: An intensive community-based campaign could be effective in lowering suicide rates. Especially, the combination of continuing medical educations (CMEs) for general practitioners focusing on 'male depression' and low-threshold campaigns for the general public seems to reach male depressive patients. Language: en |