UCSF to Host 'Depression Across the Lifespan'

UC San Francisco’s experts in mental health will discuss depression across the lifespan on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The event is free and open to the public.

Coinciding with the National Depression Screening Day, the purpose of this forum is to raise public awareness of depressive disorders. Depression is a common but serious illness and represents one of the most significant current public health problems in our country.

Everyone occasionally feels down or sad. But these feelings are typically short-lived and last only a few days.

When a person is depressed, the feelings interfere with daily life and cause pain for both the individual and their family and friends.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe forms of depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.

The UCSF forum on October 10 will feature keynote speaker Brian Copeland, who will share his personal story on coping with depression. Copeland is an actor, comedian, radio talk show host, playwright, author, and star of the one-man show “The Waiting Period.” He is a host at KGO (AM) radio in San Francisco.

After Copeland’s address, UCSF faculty will discuss the latest findings on identifying and treating depression across the lifespan. The program will conclude with an audience question-and-answer period with panelists.

The event is sponsored by the UCSF Depression Center and its Community Advisory Board

Here is the program’s agenda:

• 7 - 7:10 p.m. WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: Stuart Eisendrath, MD, professor of Clinical Psychiatry and director of he UCSF Depression Center
• 7:10 - 7:40 p.m. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Brian Copeland
• 7:40 – 8 p.m. CHILD & ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION: Eva Ihle, MD, PhD, health sciences assistant clinical professor and psychiatrist at UCSF Medical Center
• 8 - 8:20 p.m. ADULT DEPRESSION: Descartes Li, MD, health sciences clinical professor
• 8:20 - 8:40 p.m. OLDER ADULT DEPRESSION: Patricia Areán, PhD, professor of psychiatry
• 8:40 - 9:15 p.m. QUESTION & ANSWER PANEL SESSION, Patricia Areán, Stuart Eisendrath, Eva Ihle and Descartes Li