Judy Collins Headlines UC Denver Depression Center Annual Benefit Luncheon

It took many years of depression and alcoholism before Judy Collins was ready to let the light enter her own dark world. Now, the folk music superstar says, the national network of depression centers, such as the one on the Anschutz Medical Campus, are bringing awareness and help to the millions who suffer from mental health conditions.  Click here for the full article.

2011 NNDC Conference

Don't forget to register for the 2011 NNDC Conference, hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD November 2-4.

NNDC Urges the FDA to Reclassify ECT Devices
ANN ARBOR, Mi. (January 25, 2011) – This statement is being given on behalf of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC), a nonprofit 501(c) (3) network of 18 of the nation’s leading depression centers at major academic medical centers with more than 400 specialized experts in mood disorders. The NNDC supports the reclassification of devices indicated for use in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to Class II, and asks the committee to consider ECT’s important role in recommended treatment guidelines for severe depression, and its lifesaving importance for many patients.  Click here for more information.

 NNDC Joins Effort to Reverse the White House Condolence Letter Policy
The National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) joins the American Psychiatric Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health America, and other organizations in requesting the White House reverse its policy concerning letters to families of soldiers who die by suicide. The NNDC supports the policy of providing full military honors to soldiers who are victims of suicide, but questions the missing element of a condolence letter.  Click here for more information.

 Statement of the NNDC on the Tucson Arizona Tragedy
The National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) expresses deep sympathy for the tragic loss of life in the attack in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011 and hopes for complete recovery of those injured. The tragedy of this event will be amplified if we were to miss the opportunity to help prevent such horrific acts from recurring.  Click here for more information.

 NNDC Founding Chair's Editorial Published in October's American Journal of Psychiatry

Click here to read “Does Antidepressant Step Therapy Fuel the Law of Unintended Consequences?”,  an editorial by John F. Greden, M.D., NNDC Founding Chair and Executive Director of the University of Michigan Depression Center.  Dr. Grenden’s editorial is featured in the October 2010 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, and references the NNDC.

NNDC 2010 National Conference

The National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) held their 2010 NNDC National Conference, on September 23 and 24, in Atlanta, Georgia.  The conference, hosted by Emory University, focused on highlighting research, clinical and education/training advances being made by the network,  and building network collaborations and infrastructure. Kenneth B. Wells, M.D., M.P.H., of NNDC member center UCLA provided a keynote speech on “Caring for Depression in Communities: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies.

The 2010 National Conference included presentations from NNDC Domain Committees and Task Groups.  These groups also met in sessions that provided a valuable opportunity for discussion and feedback across NNDC groups and members. Another highlight included the launch of several new interest groups including: Bipolar Disorder, Suicide Prevention, and Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders, among others.

Over 90 individuals attended the conference, and attendees have responded enthusiastically to the collaborative discussions and the collective articulation of next steps and future goals of the NNDC.

Thank you to Emory University, the National Conference Planning Committee, conference attendees, volunteers, and others who assisted in making the 2010 NNDC National Conference a success.

 Former NFL quarterback scores with message of fighting depression, suicide

Click here to read about Eric Hipple, former NFL quarterback and current Outreach Coordinator at NNDC member the University of Michigan Depression Center, who is actively working to enhance depression and suicide awareness and decrease stigma across the US.

NNDC: Enhancing School & Community Outreach

NNDC member centers are committed to educating the public, patients and clients, their families, practitioners, clinical students and legislative leaders about mood disorders with emphasis on outreach and stigma reduction. 

NNDC member centers are working to increase education and outreach in communities and schools across the nation.  These efforts are led by the NNDC Education & Teaching Domain Committee and the new School-Community Outreach Task Group.  Since the peak ages of onset for clinical depression is between 15-24 year olds, the School-Community Outreach Task Group will focus efforts on individuals in schools, colleges, and the military.  The group will employ several strategies, including the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP).  Developed by Karen Swartz, M.D. of Johns Hopkins University, ADAP is an education and training program for high school students, parents, and teachers.  Click here for more information on the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program.

UT Southwestern Hosts Vital (A)(R)(T)

The National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) is pleased to announce the NNDC exhibition Vital (A)(R)(T), will be hosted by member center UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas.  The exhibition will open November 1, 2010 and be on display at UT Southwestern Library Services through December 6, 2010.  Click here for more information.

 National Network of Depression Centers Announces Passage of Important Mental Health Legislation
 ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A major step was taken in the fight against depression. The National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) is proud to announce the passage of the ENHANCED Act of 2009 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), on March 21, 2010. The ENHANCED Act will establish national “centers of excellence” for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders.  Download the PDF of this Press Release.

ENHANCED Act of 2009

Oct 2009. Bill to establish national “centers of excellence” for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders, introduced in both the House and Senate.  The legislation, known as the “ENHANCED Act,” would:

• Create a national network for developing up to 30 depression “centers of excellence” to increase access to the most appropriate and evidence-based depression care.
• Develops evidence-based treatment standards, clinical guidelines, and protocols to improve accurate and timely diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorders.
• Expands multidisciplinary, translational, and patient-oriented research by fostering the collaboration of academic and community-based service centers.
• Establishes a sustainable national resource for public and professional education and training, to advance knowledge and eradicate the stigma associated with depression and mood disorders.
  

General Information

For general inquiries about the National Network of Depression Centers, call 734-332-3914 or email nndc@nndc.org.