Table 2 Information needs reported by studies on people with depression (k = 46 studies)

General facts about depression (k = 32; 69.6%)

Symptoms/signs of depression

15 (46.9%)

General information on depression

13 (40.6%)

Diagnosis (diagnostic criteria; meaning of diagnosis)

11 (34.4%)

Aetiology (causes of depression; scientific details)

10 (31.3%)

Prognosis (length/course of depression; recovery)

6 (18.8%)

Information on suicidal thoughts

4 (12.5%)

Prevalence of depression

3 (9.4%)

Recent research on depression

2 (6.3%)

Whether depression is normal

2 (6.3%)

Environmental risk factors (e.g., stress, lifestyle)

2 (6.3%)

Risks of developing depression based on family history

2 (6.3%)

Behavioural problems (e.g., violence, drug/alcohol abuse)

1 (3.1%)

Treatment (k = 38; 82.6%)

Treatment options and comparison between options

24 (63.2%)

Side effects of treatment

19 (50.0%)

Effectiveness/benefits of treatment and expected outcomes

15 (39.5%)

General information on medication

14 (36.8%)

Appropriate use of medication (e.g., dosage, long-term use, discontinuation)

13 (34.2%)

Length of treatment

7 (18.4%)

Explanation of specific procedures and approaches used

4 (10.5%)

Issues related to addiction, tolerance, and dependence of medication

4 (10.5%)

Adverse drug reactions

4 (10.5%)

Psychosocial or nonpharmacological interventions

3 (7.9%)

Mechanisms or (non-)pharmacological actions of medications

2 (5.3%)

Placebo/nocebo effects

1 (2.6%)

What does the prescribed dose indicate about patients’ condition

1 (2.6%)

Lived experience (k = 15; 32.6%)

Other people’s experience of depression in general

10 (66.7%)

Other people’s experience of taking medications for depression

4 (26.7%)

Other people’s experience of recovery from depression

2 (13.3%)

Other people’s experience of antidepressant withdrawal and depression relapse

1 (6.7%)

Other people’s reasons to use antidepressants

1 (6.7%)

Previous patients’ experience of treatment

1 (6.7%)

Healthcare services (k = 24; 52.2%)

Available local services (e.g., hospitals, day treatment, rehabilitation)

14 (58.3%)

How or where to get help

8 (33.3%)

Support groups & patient associations

7 (29.2%)

Healthcare professionals (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists)

6 (25.0%)

Information on the mental health system

2 (8.3%)

Role of psychologists

2 (8.3%)

How to get a further supply of medication

1 (4.2%)

Coping & self-management (k = 17; 37.0%)

Strategies to cope with depression and alleviate symptoms

13 (76.5%)

Improving independent living skills (coping with everyday life)

5 (29.4%)

Managing medication side effects

4 (23.5%)

Improving social relationships and communication skills

3 (17.6%)

Coping with stigma/discrimination

3 (17.6%)

Strategies to speed recovery or prevent exacerbation

2 (11.8%)

Coping with unpredictable variations in intensity and duration of depression

1 (5.9%)

Strategies for solving problems

1 (5.9%)

Dealing with weight gain

1 (5.9%)

What to do in case of no response to medication

1 (5.9%)

Financial & legal information (k = 8; 17.4%)

Financial assistance

7 (87.5%)

Cost of treatment

2 (25.0%)

Mental health law

1 (12.5%)

Other information needs (k = 9; 19.6%)

Current health condition and other comorbid health problems

2 (22.2%)

Social relationships and social isolation/avoidance/withdrawal

2 (22.2%)

How to figure out severity of mental disorder

2 (22.2%)

Interpretation of information from patient information leaflets and the internet

1 (11.1%)

What to do between visits

1 (11.1%)

Information for relatives

1 (11.1%)

Work-related challenges

1 (11.1%)

How to reduce the likelihood of depression for themselves and their family

1 (11.1%)