Patient Education Materials Care Manager demonstrating antidepressant medication education Video: Streaming (3:55)

This can be especially true for older adults who grew up in a time when there was a tremendous stigma associated with any kind of mental problem. Many of them grew up with the message, "keep problems like depression to yourself – don't discuss them with anyone, not even your doctor." Some older adults may not realize that they are depressed and may have misconceptions about the symptoms of depression. Some may feel that their healthcare provider does not take their complaints about depression-related symptoms seriously. They may be hearing "it's all in your head."

It is important to anticipate the stigma and the misconceptions that patients may have at the beginning of depression treatment and to work with patients to overcome them. These patient education tools were developed for use by patients in the IMPACT study. They were given both the video and this booklet. If you would like to adapt the booklet for your own clinical or research purposes, please contact the IMPACT Implementation Center. We can provide you with a modifiable version of the document and permission to use the copyrighted material.

Patient Education Brochure and Video Document: Patient Brochure (pdf) Video for patients: Streaming (17:44)

Brochure

Patients in the IMPACT study were given both the video and this brochure. If you would like to adapt the booklet for your own clinical or research purposes, please contact the IMPACT Implementation Center. We can provide you with a modifiable version of the document and permission to use the copyrighted material.

Patient Education Video

This video contains interviews with real patients talking about their experiences with depression and depression treatment. The content of the interviews is not scripted in any way; the authenticity of these patients’ voices rings true. When care managers were asked at the end of the original IMPACT study which parts of the program were the most useful, they all mentioned the video. Many expressed surprise that it had such a powerful effect on their patients, especially those who were initially reluctant to accept a depression diagnosis. Copies of the video are available from the IMPACT Implementation Center. Note: Duke University developed the video for the IMPACT study and retains the copyright. The video may not be duplicated without the express permission of the IMPACT Implementation Center or Duke University. It cannot be sold or shown for a fee.

Other Resources

Other organizations also offer excellent patient education materials about depression. Two that are particularly noteworthy are the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation and the Harvard Medical School's Consumer Information page.