In an attempt to understand the factors which contribute to the need for mental health treatment, the present study compared two groups of elderly individuals age 55 or older. One group was in an outpatient mental health program and the other attended senior nutrition sites. Comparison of variables known to affect mental health status were made between the admission characteristics of the treatment group and those already attending the nutrition sites. Discriminant analyses suggested that age, depression, and the number of friends an elderly person has were potential predictors of the need for mental health treatment. Those who completed the treatment program began to resemble their counterparts at the nutrition sites in terms of lowered depression scores, improved life satisfaction, and increased social contacts. Implications for mental health intervention for the elderly, particularly the importance of the social support network, are discussed.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group program and conventional treatment versus individual conventional care in patients with a mild/moderate depression disorder in urban primary healthcare centers (PHCC). Methods: Design: randomized controlled trial of two groups. Sample: patients aged 20 years attended in 13 PHCC, identified by general practitioners and nurses with diagnosis of mid/moderate depression disorder (BDI scale) between December 2008 and April 2009. The intervention group received a psycoeducational group program (12 weeks, two nurses). The program provided health education about the illness, pharmacological treatment, diet, physical exercise, problem solving, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The control group received conventional care. The evolution of patients is monitoring up to 1 year after the inclusion by an individual interview (baseline and 3, 6, 9 months). The battery of assessment included: Sociodemographic, BDI and EuroQol-5D questionnaires. Results: 241 patients (126 intervention Group (IG); 115 control Group (CG)), 217 women (53% IG and 47%CG) with a mean age of 54, 11 (SD=12,656). 92% Spanish. 45% married. Academic level: 76, 5 % study and 13,5% non-study.