On 29^th – 31^st March 2019 we held our AGM and Convention in Bucharest, Romania. The Convention focused on the issues of depression and comorbidity, depression within specific environments and empowerment as a human right.

Depression is associated with high odds of being accompanied by medical comorbities. Furthermore, depression is associated with higher likelihood of chronic and severe medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Research also shows that patients experiencing serious medical conditions such as cancer also experience depression as a comorbidity. Research shows raised rates of depression in people with Type 2 diabetes and depression is a common co-morbidity of cancer that has a detrimental effect on quality of life, treatment adherence and potentially survival. Patients require information as well as skills that will help them achieve a good quality life by managing their illnesses. The Conference focused on depression and comorbities, providing information on the chronic diseases and their impact on the person experiencing depression.

The Convention provided an opportunity for patient groups and others interested in depression and comorbidity to obtain the latest information and to learn together about their management.