Australia should trial a UK-based program that is helping people with moderate depression and anxiety, and which could fill a major gap in existing services, says a leading psychiatrist.

The nation's thinly spread mental health services can focus on the acute or crisis-support ends of the spectrum, leaving many people with milder though still debilitating problems without a treatment option.

Associate Professor Michael Baigent said "a service such as the UK's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program was proven to be effective at reaching and helping these people. It has operated successfully since 2005, and a roll out in Australia would ensure a 'greeted rather than bounced' response for people whose lives would benefit from treatment." More...

Danny Rose, AAP Medical Writer