We aim to establish a cohort of 800 patients referred to the Danish treatment packages for unipolar first-episode, non-psychotic depression during 2021–2025. We recruit patients from all six clinics in the region. Each clinic receives approximately 100–250 treatment referrals yearly, and approximately 1100 patients are referred yearly. Approximately 80% of referrals are sent directly to the clinics. Patients are recruited during evaluation at the central diagnostic and referral centre or the first consultation in the clinics. Approximately 88% of referrals result in treatment package initiation.
During 2019–2020, 37% of patients were on an antidepressant (usually the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Sertraline from their GP) when starting the treatment package, and 54% of patients ended the treatment package on an antidepressant medication. 13% of patients were transferred to a treatment package for a different primary diagnosis group, e.g., generalised, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, emotionally unstable personality, avoidant personality disorder, eating disorder or obsessive–compulsive disorder. 20% dropped out of treatment. 5% of patients were hospitalised during their treatment package; hospitalization does not preclude the continuation of the treatment package.
The treatment package is a program with manualised psychotherapy in groups of eight patients as the core treatment module together with psychoeducation for the patient and relative (Sup. Table1 ). In brief, a treatment package consists of 15–18 h: 2–3 h of initial workup followed by 6 h of individual therapy or 12 sessions of 2 h group therapy (8 patients per group); 1–2 h of engagement and psychoeducation of relatives; 1–5 h of medication clinic; and 2 h of relapse prevention. The program is designed around group-based CBT, but clinics also offer alternatives to CBT, e.g., psychodynamic and schema therapy, and groups for specific demographics, e.g., men or adolescents, and individual therapy. Medication is available as needed.
The research and assessment at baseline for recruited participants is conducted at the Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU) at the Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet and followed by clinicians from the Mental Health Centre Copenhagen who are not involved in the patient's treatment.
During 2019–2020, 37% of patients were on an antidepressant (usually the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Sertraline from their GP) when starting the treatment package, and 54% of patients ended the treatment package on an antidepressant medication. 13% of patients were transferred to a treatment package for a different primary diagnosis group, e.g., generalised, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, emotionally unstable personality, avoidant personality disorder, eating disorder or obsessive–compulsive disorder. 20% dropped out of treatment. 5% of patients were hospitalised during their treatment package; hospitalization does not preclude the continuation of the treatment package.
The treatment package is a program with manualised psychotherapy in groups of eight patients as the core treatment module together with psychoeducation for the patient and relative (Sup. Table
The research and assessment at baseline for recruited participants is conducted at the Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU) at the Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet and followed by clinicians from the Mental Health Centre Copenhagen who are not involved in the patient's treatment.
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