A video report: Mike Wallace describes how patient advocacy group offers concrete measures to help America overcome devastating illness caused by depression and bipolar disease

February 2006 (Medialink) -- Released by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), The State of Depression in America is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive analysis on depression. The report indicates that in the U.S., depression is the leading cause of both disability and suicide. Plus, people who suffer from depression are at a greater risk of heart disease. In addition to the physical and mental effects depression can have on a person, the economic burden of depression in the U.S. is estimated at $83.1 billion annually.

With depression as widespread a problem as it is, the DBSA report goes on to make a number of recommendations to improve the mental health care system and access to care, but makes an urgent call to action on five key steps:

* Congress must equalize Medicare reimbursement coverage to patients for mental health care services
* Private insurers must provide greater incentives for primary care physicians (PCPs) to identify and treat depression
* The government and private sector must enact loan forgiveness programs to provide incentives for students to specialize in mental health care
* Academic and private researchers must expedite biologic and genetic research to develop better treatments
* The government and private sector must support and promote increased access to peer support services
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The State of Depression in America report was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. For more information call (800) 826-3632 or visit www.DBSAlliance.org