The impact of a depression awareness campaign on mental health literacy and mental morbidity among gay men

Jen Wang,Michael Häusermann,Sylvie Berrut,Mitchell G Weiss

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.04.011

Abstract

BackgroundHigh prevalences of depression and suicidality have been found among gay men. This paper assesses the possible impact of Blues-out, a depression awareness campaign based on the European Alliance Against Depression targeting the gay/lesbian community in Geneva, Switzerland. MethodsIn 2007 and 2011, pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted among two distinct samples of gay men in Geneva, recruited by probability-based time–space sampling. Effect sizes and net percent changes are reported for mental health literacy and mental health outcomes in 2007 and 2011 as well as among men aware and unaware of Blues-out in 2011. Results43% of the respondents correctly recognized depression in 2011 with no change vis-à-vis 2007. Despite small effect sizes, significant net decreases (from −18% to −28%) were seen in lifetime suicide plans, 12-month suicidal ideation, lifetime depression, and 4-week psychological distress between 2007 and 2011. These decreases were not accompanied by changes in any of the numerous items on attitudes/knowledge, found only when comparing men aware and unaware of Blues-out in 2011. More men aware of Blues-out found specialists and psychological therapies helpful than their counterparts and correctly identified depression and gay men's greater risk for depression. LimitationsCommunity-level assessment with no control. ConclusionsAlthough improvement in depression recognition and decrease in suicide attempts could not be replicated unequivocally in this adapted intervention among gay men, there are indications that this evidence-based depression awareness campaign may have lessened suicidality and mental morbidity and improved mental health literacy and help-seeking.

Highlights

Reviews of mental health and sexual orientation have provided a clear picture of increased prevalence and risk of depression and suicidality among sexual minorities, gay men [King et al, 2008; Marshal et al, 2011]
The first phase consists of a depression awareness campaign to improve mental health literacy [Jorm, 2000; Jorm 2012]—e.g., access to health information, knowledge about condition/treatment, recognition of symptoms, and mental health first aid—and help-seeking in a population characterized by high prevalence of both depression and suicidality as well as challenged by stigma against both mental illness and homosexuality
Despite the lifetime prevalence of depression and its high health burden in the general population [Moussavi et al, 2007], there are relatively few public health interventions targeting the condition and even fewer targeting the condition in high prevalence groups

Summary

Introduction

Reviews of mental health and sexual orientation have provided a clear picture of increased prevalence and risk of depression and suicidality among sexual minorities, gay men [King et al, 2008; Marshal et al, 2011]. A series of health surveys has confirmed high prevalences of depression (lifetime self-report 40%, 12month diagnosis 19%) and suicide attempts (lifetime 19%, 12-month 4%) among gay men in Geneva, with young homo/bisexual men in Switzerland 2-5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts [Wang et al, 2007b; Wang et al, 2012]. Of note, both depression and suicidality appear to be characterized by high levels of chronicity and relapse. Conclusions: improvement in depression recognition and decrease in suicide attempts could not be replicated unequivocally in this adapted intervention among gay men, there are indications that this evidence-based depression awareness campaign may be associated with improvements in suicidality and mental morbidity as well as mental health literacy and help-seeking

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion