Building Hope Lecture Series features UofL Depression Center director

“What Works for Depression” will be presented at the next “Building Hope” lecture sponsored by the University of Louisville Depression Center. Speaking will be Jesse H. Wright, MD, PhD, director of the Depression Center and professor and vice chair for academic affairs of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UofL School of Medicine.

The program will begin at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, in Room 251 of Second Presbyterian Church, 3701 Old Brownsboro Rd. Admission is free. Wright will examine the most effective methods for treating clinical depression, including effective treatment methods for people who find themselves stuck in a depressive state. Wright also will answer audience members’ questions about treatment for depression. Recent research indicates clinical depression is a topic Kentuckians are familiar with, either from firsthand experience or through a family member or friend. A 2014 study found that Kentucky is ranked third in the United States for incidence of depression, with 23.5 percent of adult Kentuckians experiencing depression at some point during their lives, compared to 18 percent nationally. Wright is well-known in the psychiatric profession as an authority on depression and cognitive behavioral therapy. He has authored award-winning books for both mental health professionals and the general public, the most recent being “Breaking Free from Depression: Pathways to Wellness.” He was founding president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, is a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists and is a past recipient of UofL’s Distinguished Educator of the Year Award. The University of Louisville Depression Center is Kentuckiana’s leading resource for depression and bipolar disorder treatment, research and education. It is a charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, a consortium of leading depression centers that develops and fosters connections among members to advance scientific discovery and provide stigma-free, evidence-based care to patients with depressive and bipolar illnesses. For more information, contact the Depression Center at 502-588-4450.