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About the Study
What is GLAD?
The Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study is a project set up to support studies exploring risk factors for depression and/or anxiety. Our aim is to collect the psychological, medical, and genetic information of 40,000 people with experience of anxiety and depression. We also want to recruit 10,000 individuals without any history of mental disorder to help us explore why some people do and some people don't become ill. This will help us to better understand the role both our genes and environment play in the development of these illnesses. A deeper understanding of anxiety and depression, means we will be better equipped to help those who are experiencing them. In the UK, 1 in 3 people will experience symptoms of anxiety or depression during their lifetime, and treatment is only effective in about half of people, with symptoms often having devastating impacts on people's quality of life. Together with your help, we want to change this. Help make a difference by signing up to GLAD today.
What makes GLAD unique?
With joining GLAD, you consent to join the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource, a large panel made up of over 200,000 volunteers across England who have consented to let the BioResource team have access to their health-related records, clinical and biological data to help further research. Your participation in GLAD will be a valuable resource to advance research in not only anxiety and depression, but to all other mental and physical health conditions as well. Your contribution goes a long way.
In GLAD, we include all individuals with experience of current or past anxiety and depressive disorders. A medical diagnosis is not needed to take part in our study. We also invite people who have never experienced a mental health disorder, to help understand why some people do and others don't develop these illnesses. You can see our full eligibility criteria on the study sign-up form.
Can I take part in GLAD?
To take part in the GLAD Study you must:
- Have ever experienced or are experiencing anxiety or depressive disorders (with or without a medical diagnosis)
- Have never experienced any mental health disorder
- Be aged 16 or over
- Live in the United Kingdom
Who runs GLAD?
GLAD is led by researchers at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health BioResource (part of the NIHR BioResource) at King's College London, in collaboration with Queen's University Belfast, University of Edinburgh, and Cardiff University.
How do I take part in GLAD?
Online! All enrolment takes place on our website. The sign-up process has been designed to be simple and accessible. You will need to:
- 1
- Register on the GLAD website
- 2
- Read the information sheet and provide consent
- 3
- Complete a 30-60 minute questionnaire
- 4
- Complete your DNA saliva kit (for genetics research) and return it to us in the free envelope provided
When you have signed up to the GLAD Study, you will be able to see information on the website about a number of optional questionnaires or other research studies that are being carried out. You will be able to choose to take part in these studies should you wish to.
We would like to emphasise that you can stop taking part in the GLAD Study at any time.
Need more information?
Please see our Information Sheet or visit our FAQ page. If you have further questions about GLAD or would like to speak to a member of our team, you can contact us here. Please leave us a message via phone, email, or our “Send a Message” form and our team will get back to you.
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All data use is strictly within the terms of the Data Protection Act 2018.