Focus on mental health care reforms in Europe: the European alliance against depression: a multilevel approach to the prevention of suicidal behavior.

The European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) was formed in 2004 with funding from the European Commission. The EAAD, which is currently active in 17 countries, creates community-based networks that use an evidence-based approach to improving care for depressed persons and preventing suicidality. This column describes the creation of EAAD and the cornerstone of the alliance, which is a shared multilevel approach that includes interventions on four levels: education of primary care physicians, a professional public relations campaign, training of community facilitators, and interventions with affected persons and high-risk groups. Several countries have expanded their original model program into other regions or nationwide.