Issue #4 - Winter 2018
Depression Grand Challenge Newsletter
Overview:

Thank you for reading the fourth Depression Grand Challenge  Newsletter. The goal of the Depression Grand Challenge is to cut the burden of depression in half by 2050 and eliminate depression by the end of the century. We have organized our approach into four components - Innovative Treatment Network, 100K Study, Awareness & Hope, and Discovery Neuroscience. This newsletter highlights the Awareness & Hope component of the Depression Grand Challenge.
Awareness & Hope

Defeating prejudice and eliminating stigma:

Since the official launch of the Depression Grand Challenge in late 2015, the primary focus has been to stimulate research by building up three of the four components - Innovative Treatment Network, 100K Study, and Discovery Neuroscience. Now that research projects within these components are ongoing, the Depression Grand Challenge is mobilizing the Awareness & Hope component. Defeating prejudice against those who suffer from depression is an integral element of our efforts because even if we were to have a cure in our hands right now, given this prejudice many of the people who could benefit from a cure wouldn't get it. Prejudice and stigma may be underlying causes for: insufficient  funding allocated for research and treatment; people being hesitant to seek help; and people failing to stick with treatment. An important step for the Depression Grand Challenge is to develop a better understanding of the source of prejudice and stigma so we can mobilize awareness and hope in order to end them.
DGC's depression awareness activities:

We have engaged in several mini-campaigns to raise awareness and hope about depression and the Depression Grand Challenge among communities already in touch with the campus such as students, alumni, athletics fans, and friends. Three of such campaigns are described below:

#blueforhope Campaign - November 2015
  • Rallied supporters to turn #blueforhope for the 350M depression sufferers worldwide    
  • Engaged in outreach on campus and at a football game to challenge others to turn #blueforhope
World Health Day Events - April 2017
#OutDepression Campaign - January 2018 and ongoing
  • Focuses on "outing" depression to raise awareness of the importance of talking about depression
  • Engaged with fans at Utah-UCLA Men's basketball game on January 11, 2018 and provided "UCLA Outs Depression" t-shirts to the student section
Other efforts to advocate for the DGC mission:

In addition to our activities, we received attention when famous UCLA alum Sara Bareilles shared her support for the Depression Grand Challenge in the form of a  video appeal. Sara spoke not only about her own depression, but she also shared the Depression Grand Challenge mission and advocated for our research. Watch   the video.
Looking forward:

The Depression Grand Challenge is planning a workshop to bring together UCLA researchers who have expertise in discrimination and stigma. The aim of this workshop is to start the development of our research plan for Awareness and Hope.
Upcoming Events:
UCLA Depression Grand Challenge Symposium Interest
Please indicate your interest in attending the inaugural UCLA Depression Grand Challenge symposium in either Northern California or Southern California over the next few months. Experts will discuss their groundbreaking research, innovative treatment solutions, and a large-scale student study that is already providing treatment to UCLA students.
Northern California Symposium
Date TBD
Location TBD

Southern California Symposium
May 14, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Up Next:

The newsletter for next quarter will highlight progress of the 100K Study component of the Depression Grand Challenge.
Recent News:

To read the latest updates about the Depression Grand Challenge between newsletters, please visit our  happenings page. A few recent features are linked below: