Evaluation Study of Medical-Social Collaboration Model for Middle-aged and Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms

Evaluation Study of Medical-Social Collaboration Model for Middle-aged and Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a medical-social collaboration model works to reduce depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults with depressive symptoms who are waiting for their first psychiatric appointment. Secondary outcomes of the study include reduced anxiety symptoms, reduced loneliness, reduced rumination, reduced self-criticism, improved self-reassurance, improved resilience, improved self-efficacy, improved health-related quality of life, as well as improved quality-adjusted life years, and reduced healthcare service utilisation.

Researchers will compare a medical-social collaboration model to a self-management booklet.

Participants will:

• Receive CBT-based stepped-care interventions through the medical-social collaboration model or a self-management booklet.
• Complete a survey about their mental health and service use every three months until their first psychiatric appointment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Currently awaiting psychiatric services provided by the Hospital Authority
• Have depressive symptoms of at least mild severity
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• A known history of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, or dementia
• Imminent suicidal risk (temporary exclusion)
• Communication difficulties that preclude participation