Depression worst for health

An article published in The Lancet today states that depression "produces the greatest decrement in health" compared with the chronic diseases angina, arthritis, asthma and diabetes. Research by the World Health Organisation found that depression had the largest effect on declining health compared with other chronic illnesses. Professor Louis Appleby, National Director for Mental Health, said on Radio 4's Today programme this morning that "it is vital we find new models" to address this destructive condition. Get Into Reading, an outreach programme run by The Reader centre, was highly commended by Professor Appleby at this year's Health and Social Care Awards for its work in this area.  Launching a project with Mersey Care NHS Trust in the next few weeks, The Reader is at the forefront of tackling the disabiling effects of depression through its unique model of weekly shared reading and conversation groups.