Depression Information Service (DIS): 1-877-498-0096
The Depression Information Service is a resource contact point for patients, care providers, physicians, or others interested in information on depression in older adults.  You can access the DIS Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  We can provide you or your organization with free educational information on depression and treatment options.  We can also provide you with information on the Fuqua Center's clinical services, treatment options, community education programs and reserach projects.  Call us today!

Late-Life Depression Seminars
Did you know that over 19 million people in the United States suffer from depression annually? A large percentage of those people go untreated because the symptoms of depression are not recognized.  An even larger percentage of the elderly population goes untreated because of the belief that depression is a natural part of the aging process. One of the many important goals here at the Fuqua Center is to help combat such misconceptions that are associated with depression. We aim to accomplish this by increasing awareness and understanding of depression. Depression is a serious, but treatable illness.  The Fuqua Center staff can provide educational seminars on late-life depression for your organization.  Call us at 404-728-4558 to arrange for a professional speaker. 

Training and Education Programs
The Fuqua Center has partnered with many organizations to increase the understanding and recognition of depression in older adults.  Please visit the University WebPage to learn about the various programs we have developed through partnerships or call us at 404-728-4558 to learn more.

Partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging, the Fuqua Center is proud to have collaborated with all 12 regional Area Agencies on Aging in Georgia in order to provide depression training for their employees. Eve H. Byrd, MSN, MPH, RN, FNP has provided training for care coordinators who work with the Community Care Services Program (CCSP), which is a program that helps Medicaid-eligible people who are elderly and/or functionally impaired to continue living in their homes and communities. This state-run program provides a range of community-based services which delay or avert nursing home placement. Because CCSP clients have chronic diseases and multiple medical problems, they also have a high risk for developing depression. Untreated depression can lead to greater physical disability, poorer quality of life, loss of life to suicide, as well as greater medical expenses and caregiver expenses. The CCSP care coordinators are trained to recognize symptoms of depression, screen for depression and suicidal ideation, understand treatment options for depression, as well as monitor treatment effectiveness. The care coordinators are encouraged to communicate the results of the patients' mental health screening with their clients' primary care providers (or psychiatrists). The Fuqua Center has completed Phase I of the depression trainings for the CCSP care coordinators in the Atlanta area, Southwest Georgia and the Southeast region of the state. In June 2005, the Fuqua Center began a series of trainings in the following regions:  Georgia Mountains, Northeast Georgia, Southern Crescent, Heart of Georgia, Coastal and Central Savannah River Area.  Rollout for trainings in the Northwest and Middle parts of the state began in the summer of 2006. Refresher sessions will be held for all regions in the coming year. We are excited to be able to collaborate with state resources in order to reach a large number of at-risk people in the community.

Fuqua Center Newsletter
In the Mood: A Newsletter for the Friends of the Fuqua Center  A quarterly newsletter that provides up-to-date information on the Fuqua Center, treatment options for and facts about depression, research studies, community education events, local mental health contacts, and much more! Send an e-mail to fuquacenter@emory.edu to be put on our mailing list to recieve our free newsletter.

Referral Network
The Fuqua Center has created a statewide network of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers for older adults with depression. Our network has extensive contacts throughout Georgia.  Visit our Referral Network page to find a healthcare provider in your area!