Nurse-Led Interventions for Patients with Depression in Primary Care: Aligned with SDG
Keywords:
Nurse-led interventions, Depression management, Primary care, Mental health services, Collaborative care, Psychoeducation, Patient outcomes, DG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).Abstract
Depression is a leading cause of global disease burden and is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in primary care. Given their accessibility and holistic approach, nurses are increasingly recognized as key providers in bridging mental health service gaps. Evidence indicates that nurse-led interventions—ranging from systematic screening and psychoeducation to psychological therapies, case management, and community outreach—lead to improved patient outcomes, including reduced depressive symptoms, enhanced treatment adherence, and higher patient satisfaction. Collaborative care models demonstrated particular effectiveness, with nurses functioning as case managers linking patients, physicians, and mental health specialists. Despite their benefits, barriers such as inadequate training, heavy workloads, and limited policy support hinder wider implementation. Nurse-led interventions represent a sustainable and impactful strategy for addressing depression in primary care. Strengthening nurse training and integrating nurse-led models into collaborative frameworks can improve access, cost-effectiveness, and patient-centred outcomes.
