Lay summary
Many adults report having depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis of depression. These symptoms are often defined as subthreshold depression (StD). StD is a real problem that affects daily life and can bring about considerable economic costs. It is estimated that up to 80% of those affected may need intervention. In particular, around a third of people with long-term conditions (LTCs) experience StD symptoms. LTCs can be defined as any ongoing, long-term or recurring condition that can significantly impact people’s lives. Due to increasing workloads, General Practice and specialist services in New Zealand are under immense pressure. A possible approach to address these unmet needs is the use of other healthcare professionals in primary care. My PhD project involves developing a pharmacist-led mental health intervention to improve the health and well-being of LTC patients.