Depression is an urgent and growing public health problem, requiring a comprehensive policy response. This is the first in a series of briefs based on a policy report entitled A sustainable approach to depression: moving from words to actions. This brief considers the key elements of depression: why we should care, why we should act, and what we should do to support people who live with depression. (See page 4 for details on the rest of the series.)

Future policy briefs and blogs are part of the Words to Actions series, which will focus on specific findings from the report, including innovation in mental health services, depression in youth, integrated mental health services and suicide prevention.