for the Depression Screening Data (DEPRESSD) PHQ Collaboration IMPORTANCE The Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9) is a 9-item self-administered instrument used for detecting depression and assessing severity of depression. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) consists of the first 2 items of the PHQ-9 (which assess the frequency of depressed mood and anhedonia) and can be used as a first step to identify patients for evaluation with the full PHQ-9.OBJECTIVE To estimate PHQ-2 accuracy alone and combined with the PHQ-9 for detecting major depression.

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Depression is an important public health problem. It is the fourth cause of disease in the world in terms of lost years of healthy life. In Mexico, it ranks first in terms disability for women and ninth for men. There is a high comorbidity between depression and other mental disorders such as anxiety and substance abuse, as well as other serious and chronic physical conditions (e.g. diabetes, and heart disease). Despite the impact of depressive disorders in the quality of life of the population, there is a large proportion of people who don't get treatment, delaying seeking help and thus don't receive adequate assistance. The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of depression status in the Mexican population from a public health perspective; it includes prevalence and associated factors, gaps in care, characteristics of the use of services and treatments available. The paper concludes with a presentation of the implications for research and mental health policy in Mexico.

Objective. To investigate the influence of social support and adverse life events on depression symptoms, before and after therapy (15-30 days) and during follow-up (4 months) of a psycho-educational intervention for depression. Material and Methods. The study population consisted of 254 women with depression symptoms selected among those seeking treatment for their symptoms in three community mental health centers and in one Ministry of Health center, all of them in Mexico City, between January 1998 and December 2000. The intervention has been proved effective previously in reducing depression symptoms. Symptoms were assessed using Radloff's CES-D scale, while specifically designed scales were used for events and social support. Hierarchical regression analyses were carried out to test various models. Results. Model 1: effect of variables: life events, social support, and socio-demographic variables (age, education level, income, and work status) on CES-D pre-treatment. The model was significant (p<0.000) and the first two variables and age were included in the model.

The aim of the study was to explore the way in which depression in women is conceptualized, experienced, and given meaning from the perspective of the women themselves, based on a review of text material on the subject. The focus group technique was used to present the text, which deals with depression, its causes, and coping strategies. Twenty-seven women, divided into four groups, participated in the study. Analyses of the transcriptions of self-recordings led to the identification of four categories: the experience of depression, childhood experiences, the female social condition, and coping strategies. The majority mentioned having had bouts of depression in their lives, although they had not recognized them as such. They were aware of the role played by socialization of the female role and certain childhood events in the emergence of depression and used various strategies to cope with this. The women found similarities between the ways they perceived depression and the descriptions in the text, and shared their own experiences. Depression was reported as a central theme in their lives, and they were eager to talk about it.

SUMMARY BackgroundDepression is frequently experienced during the perinatal period. In Mexico, it has received very little attention from researchers and health service providers. It is well known that untreated depression is one of the leading causes of disability in women.

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