Depression is a major cause of impaired quality of life, reduced productivity, and increased mortality in the United States. It is common and those Service members returning from combat deployments are at increased risk for development of depression. It is a significant mental health condition for Service members and a major issue for military and federal healthcare leaders. Below is a list of relevant reports and recommendation statements pertaining to depression. A more comprehensive list of MHS strategy along with DoD policy can be found in the Strategy and Policy section.
- Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health 2013 Annual Report (2014)
- This annual report provides information on the progress made on initiatives called for in Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families.
- DoD Report to Congress - Research and Medical Practice on Mental Health Conditions, September 2013 (2013)
- In response to National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, Section 725, it directs the Secretary of Defense to provide for the translation of research on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions into policy on medical practices.
- DoD Report to Congress - Study on Physical and Mental Health and Other Readjustment Needs of Members and Former Members of the Armed Forces Who Deployed in OIF/OEF and Their Families - Phase II, 13 August 2013 (2013)
- DoD and VA joint response on Phase 2 of the Congressionally mandated Institute of Medicine (IOM) two-part study of the physical, psychological, social, and economic effects of deployment on Service members, their families, and communities and identifies gaps in care for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Final Recommendation Statement Depression in Adults: Screening, December 2009 (2009)
- This site details the recommendation made by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) regarding screening for depression in adults, to include review of evidence of benefits of screening for detection and early intervention, as well as clinical considerations.
- Screening Adults for Depression in Primary Care: A Position Statement of the American College of Preventive Medicine (2009)
- This statement provides guidance for primary care providers in understanding their role in screening adults for depression and ensuring adequate diagnosis and treatment.