Antidepressants, not the only answer to treating depression – University of Reading
26 February 2008Following research revealed this morning questioning the effectiveness of using antidepressants alone, a world expert in the treatment of depression is to give a workshop to mental health practitioners, organised by The University of Reading.
Dr Christopher Martell is a leading authority on Behavioural Activation, a treatment for depression without the use of drugs, which focuses on helping people with depression break the cycle of inaction and withdrawal from life. It seeks to help people understand the external sources of depression and targets behaviours that may worsen it.
This treatment has recently been shown to be as effective as Cognitive Therapy, and follows reports today that antidepressants may not be helping many patients suffering from depression.
Professor Roz Shafran, director of the Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment, The University of Reading, organised the workshop. She said:
"We are honoured and delighted that someone of Dr Martell's calibre is committing so much time to ensuring that therapists are properly trained so that more people who are depressed can get the right treatment without delay."
What? Two day workshop for mental health practitioners for the treatment of depression
When? 9.30 to 5pm Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 February.
Where? Reading Business Centre, Longwater Avenue, GreenPark.
Who? Mental health practitioners, GPs, practitioners involved in the treatment of depression.
Dr Martell is supervising the treatment of depression for some therapists employed by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Trust's commitment to making sure psychological therapies are as available as medication.
There are still a few spaces left on the course and anyone interested can e-mail cwi@reading.ac.ukor call 0118 378 6663.
ends
Notes to editors:
•For interviews with Dr Martell and further information please contact
• Kate Smith on 01295 661 250.
For more information about Dr Martell and Behavioural Activation go to
>www.christophermartell.com
• The Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment was formally opened by Lord Richard Layard, a renowned economist, Government adviser, and author of influential publications on happiness, and Prof David Clark, Professor of Psychology at King's College, London and Director of the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma at the Maudsley Hospital, London on 21 January 2008. For more information on the Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment go to: www.rdg.ac.uk/charliewaller.
• To arrange an interview or find out more about Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, please contact Martin Leaver on 07966 174 183 or via email on Martin.leaver@appleinter.net