To examine the number of patients screening positive for depression, while self-completing an automated check-in screen prior to a general practice consultation.

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

10 general practices in the West Midlands, England. Recruitment commenced in March 2023 and concluded in June 2023.

All patients aged 18 years and over, self-completing an automated check-in screen for any general practice prebooked appointment, were invited to participate during a 3-week recruitment period.

The number of patients screening positive for depression using the Whooley case finding research questions was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included: demographic and (general practice level) deprivation differences in completion responses.

73.5% (n=3666) of patients self-completing an automated check-in screen participated in the CAse-fInding foR depressiOn in primary care (CAIRO) study, (61.1% (n=2239) female, mean age 55.0 years (18–96 years, SD=18.5)).

28.3% (n=1039) of participants provided a positive response to at least one of the two Whooley research questions (31.2% female and 23.8% male). Significantly more positive responses were obtained from females, those aged between 35 years and 49 years and those from more deprived practices.

Over a quarter of CAIRO participants provided a positive response to at least one of the two Whooley questions, suggesting possible unmet need in the population studied. A follow-up study could investigate whether responses provided at the point of check-in are raised and addressed in the subsequent consultation.

To evaluate the impact and acceptability of a tailored, gender-responsive behavioural activation (BA) intervention for improving depression and anxiety in male National Health Service (NHS) frontline workers.

Pre-post intervention study.

Three NHS organisations in the North of England.

45 men aged ≥18 years working in a frontline NHS role scoring in the subclinical range (5–14) on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (depression) and/or the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) (anxiety) at baseline.

A tailored BA treatment programme consisting of up to eight telephone support sessions over a period of 4–6 weeks, accompanied by a BA self-help manual.

Self-reported symptom severity of depression, assessed by PHQ-9, and anxiety, assessed by GAD-7, at baseline and 4 and 6 months. Acceptability from the perspectives of male study participants and coaches who delivered the intervention was assessed in a nested qualitative study using the theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA).

PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores decreased from baseline to 4 months on both the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. While scores increased from 4 months to 6 months, the 6-month scores remained below those of the baseline scores. Acceptability of the intervention was high across all constructs of the TFA. The practical and action-oriented strategies of the intervention, and the confidential, flexible, convenient mode of delivery, worked to support men’s engagement with the intervention.

Delivery of a tailored, gender-responsive BA intervention was appealing to, and beneficial for, men working in frontline NHS roles with less severe depression and anxiety. The BALM intervention offers promise as a tailored workplace mental health programme that is aligned with men’s needs and preferences and can help overcome a reticence to engage with mental health support in NHS staff and beyond.

ISRCTN48636092.