IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY GUIDELINES: AWARD FOR A MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR

The TIDES study (the International Depression Epidemiological Study), revealed that 10% of adolescents, 19% of adults, 37% of mothers and 31% of fathers had elevated symptoms of depression and similar elevations of symptoms of anxiety (22%, 32%, 48% and 36% respectively) (Quittner et al Thorax 2014). Based on these elevated rates, an International Committee on Mental Health in Cystic Fibrosis developed a consensus statement for screening and treating depression and anxiety (Quittner et al Thorax 2015). In this consensus statement, clinic based screening for depression and anxiety for patients and caregivers was outlined, using the Patient Health Quesionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is providing resources for implementation of these screening recommendations in care centers. Our center plans to use these resources to develop a multidisciplinary team, consisting of a coordinator, social worker and clinical psychologist to implement screening for depression and anxiety in our patient population. Dr. Fisher is a clinical psychologist will attend the cystic fibrosis clinics at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, main hospital location to assist in screening caregivers for anxiety and depression and facilitating referrals to appropriate resources. In addition, he will also assist the cystic fibrosis social worker, who will be conducting screening of adults at satellite locations, in learning the process for screening caregivers and recommending appropriate and referral for those with findings of concern at screening.