Out of the 20 regions of Italy contacted, 12 (60%) responded positively and were interested in the iFD training, with different levels of participation that showed greater openness in some areas in comparison to others, as well as a greater involvement of postgraduate schools.

The project included 7 promotional events, including press conferences and initiatives to raise awareness of depression prevention. In addition to these activities, a total of 38 training sessions were organized. These training sessions, which focused on utilizing the iFD tool, depression prevention, and managing suicide risk, were conducted both through university training schools for GPs and directly to already qualified GPs (Fig. 1).

iFightDepression events by public involved (september 2023 – march 2024)

A total of 196 licensed GPs and 1872 doctors in postgraduate training were involved in the project, showing a heterogeneous distribution of participation over the national territory, with a particular interest shown in the regions of Campania, Sicily and Lazio (Fig. 2). Thus, 90% of the participating GPs were involved through postgraduate medical schools.

GPs trained and registered on iFDtool by region

The preliminary enquiry revealed an unmet educational need among Italian GPs concerning the possibility of following trainings on mental health, especially with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with depressive disorder and suicide risk prevention.

A specific training program was therefore developed, divided into three distinct modules and designed to be delivered in a time frame between 2 and 3 h.

The first module of the course focused on the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder, referring to both ICD-11 and DSM-5. In addition, the somatic symptoms most frequently associated with depressive disorder were discussed, emphasizing the crucial role that GPs play in preventing depression. This module increased GPs’ awareness of the variety and complexity of depressive symptoms, thus facilitating an early and accurate diagnosis.

The second module focused on introducing the iFightDepression tool. This portion of the course included a practical workshop demonstrating how to use the tool and presenting the available resources for both clinicians and patients. The objective was to enhance GPs’ self-efficacy in managing depressed patients by equipping them with direct access to evidence-based and guided self-help tools.

The third and final module addressed suicide risk prevention. In this part, the role of GPs in suicide risk prevention is emphasised, dealing with suicide risk assessment and debunking false myths related to suicide. The aim is twofold: to improve GPs’ skills in detecting warning signs and to promote a proactive approach in suicide prevention.

During the 38 training courses, a keen interest emerged from the participants, who showed active participation and shared direct experiences with patients.

This dynamic transformed the courses into true opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experience, contributing significantly to the enhancement of the professional skills of the doctors involved. The training programme proposed within the iFightDeppression project represented a significant step forward in meeting the educational needs of general practitioners in Italy, with the potential to improve the quality of care and support offered to patients suffering from depressive disorders and at risk of suicide.