In New York City, more than 430,000 adults suffer from depression and 200,000 have an anxiety disorder. Half of these New Yorkers go undiagnosed and three out of five do not receive treatment. Of even greater concern are the disparities that exist for African Americans and Hispanics: only a quarter are receiving treatment.

Depression impacts many facets of an individual’s life including family relationships, friendships, and the ability to work or go to school. Some 23% of New Yorkers with anxiety and 15% of those with depression say it limits their ability to work. Improved diagnosis and treatment could not only help individuals, but also benefit the City’s economy by increasing productivity. Despite the seriousness of depression, many people believe they can shake off symptoms and do not seek treatment because of shame and stigma.

Grant funding through the Fund for Public Health in New York (FPHNY) is supporting a clinical improvement process led by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to streamline screening and basic depression management in adult primary care practices. Care managers are working with primary care practices to support the treatment of depressed patients in the neighborhoods of the highest need: South Bronx, North and Central Brooklyn, and East and Central Harlem. Care managers strengthen treatment adherence by following-up with the patient, reminding patients of appointments, providing education on depression and anti-depressant medications, and communicating with the physician regarding the patient’s progress. These activities are expected to increase the number of New Yorkers who are successfully treated for depression and to reduce some of the disparities between who receives treatment.