Hepatitis C Translating Initiatives for Depression Into Effective Solutions

The intervention will include a stepped-care model. The 5 steps include symptom and self-management monitoring by a depression care manager (DCM) and the following: 1) watchful waiting, 2) treatment recommendations (counseling or pharmacotherapy), 3) pharmacotherapy recommended by a Clinical Pharmacist, 4) combination pharmacotherapy and specialty mental health counseling, and 5) referral to mental health. The DCM: provides education about depression and depression treatment options; assesses the patient's treatment preferences and barriers, and the patient's current depression severity and mental health comorbidity; initiates a patient self-management plan, and assess treatment adherence. The DCM uses standard alcohol screening and brief intervention. The DCM also screens for street drug use and recommends referral for to the local substance abuse treatment programs.