The National Depression Initiative (NDI) aims to reduce the impact of depression on the lives of New Zealanders, by aiding early recognition, appropriate treatment, and recovery. It is part of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing suicide prevention, as well as to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders. Funding for the research and development phase of the NDI was made available during 2004/05, and the campaign itself was launched in October 2006.

The NDI framework:

Objectives

• Strengthen individual, family and social factors that protect against depression
• Improve community and professional responsiveness to depression

Key strategies

1. Identify and build on opportunities to create a social and physical environment that protects people from depression.
2. Encourage people to recognise and become more responsive to depression, including:
   • The importance of early identification and intervention;
   • Assisting people to recognise symptoms of depression in themselves and others;
   • Encouraging people to seek appropriate help; d. Increasing awareness of effective interventions for depression, including self help strategies.
3. Improve the capability of health professionals to respond appropriately to people seeking help with depression.
4. Support co-ordination mechanisms between public health, primary health care and mental health care services, consistent with the objectives of the National Depression Initiative.
5. Support the above with research, monitoring and evaluation.