The Tragedy of Kate Spade,
June 13, 2018

We are deeply saddened by the death of Kate Spade.  Our thoughts are first and foremost with her family.  Her suicide is not only tragic, but also a profound reminder that we must end the stigma that surrounds mental illness.  Conflicting stories in the news raise the question of whether Kate sought treatment for her depression.  What it comes down to is this:  Nobody should have to lose their life because they were hesitant to seek therapy.  It is heartbreaking that Kate Spade may have refused the lifeline of intensive treatment because of fear – fear about the effect on her public image. (Read more here.) Her loss reminds us that silence and stigma are killers.  Untreated depression is the primary reason why someone takes their life in the US every fourteen minutes, well over 40,000 a year.  A shocking number, particularly with media awareness about depression on the rise. Now more than ever, we must get the facts out about depression and create a culture in which depression can be discussed as openly as medical illness.  At HDRF, we are working every day to find the biological causes of suicide and new antidepressants. We are also committed to public education and discussion. We hope you will help be an ambassador for HDRF’s mission by forwarding this message to your friends, colleagues and family. Thank you for your support of HDRF’s mission to fund the research that can transform our understanding and treatment of this complex and shattering illness.

WSJ on New Depression Treatments,
June 5, 2015

This week the Wall Street Journal published a thought-provoking article about the need for new depression treatments: “To Treat Depression, a New Approach Tries Training the Brain,” June 2nd.

The piece describes a number of newly emerging treatments that actually use computer games to target specific mood centers in the brain and rehabilitate them through exercising the neural circuits within.

Explains writer Andrea Petersen: a growing number of researchers are coming into the view that the brain of the depressed individual should be treated “like a muscle that is atrophied.” Computer games – often combined with electric stimulation of other brain regions – can specifically target the brain circuits that go awry in depression and coax them back into shape.

Can these emergent treatments offer promise to the millions who struggle with resistant depression?  It is too early to tell.  As the article clearly states, studies testing the new treatments have had mixed results and the sample size was very small.

HDRF Board member Dr. Steven Roose of Columbia University echoed this point: “We always have to be cautious when someone claims to have a breakthrough new treatment. The studies were small and they are far from meeting the burden of proof required.”

However, Dr. Roose added: “The idea that there is structural damage in the brain during depressive illness is well-established scientifically.  When we talk about depression, we are talking about a brain disorder that does indeed involve structural damage.”

“That is why it is so critical to treat depressive episodes or prevent them altogether,” he said. “To arrest the illness before further damage to brain tissue can occur.”

What’s clear: the need for more basic research into the brain. That is why the work of Hope for Depression Research Foundation – and your support – really matters.

We need a far more sophisticated understanding of the brain’s complex mood centers so we can assuredly intervene when something goes wrong.  And that, of course, is the mandate of our acclaimed Depression Task Force and their bold research plan.

We look forward to much progress and leading the way to a new era of treatment.

Andrew Solomon’s Thoughtful New York Times article,
June 1, 2015

We’d like to bring to your attention Andrew Solomon’s article from New York Times Magazine: “The Secret Sadness of Pregnancy With Depression.”

A longstanding member of HDRF’s Leadership Committee, Andrew is a friend and author for whom we have great respect.

His thoughtful discussion of mood disorders in pregnancy is a welcome example of the kind of media coverage that elevates national conversation about depression and makes it safe to speak out and get help.

The fact that the article points out a discrepancy in reliable information for pregnant mothers managing depression is important.  It underscores the need for research and HDRF’s critical mission.  Every mother needs access to sophisticated, evidence-based information in order to make the best choices for herself and her baby.

The studies of our Depression Task Force are designed to lead us to an advanced understanding of all mood disorders, including postpartum depression.  With your help, we are working tirelessly to yield new knowledge and new answers that can come to bear on the most important and personal decisions of our lives.