Rationale
For people presenting with low mood or an unclear diagnosis, an assessment of need is required, leading to evidence-based self-help materials and signposting. Interventions will depend on identified need and will often involve giving information and signposting to appropriate agencies. Advice should include lifestyle changes, such as planned exercise, healthy eating and sensible drinking.

For moderate to severe depression, the assessment of need will also allow wider issues to be addressed. The emphasis on a self-help/signposting approach encourages the service user to take an active role in their treatment and recovery.

In the watchful waiting period, it is possible that service care providers will wish to refer service users for a self-help assessment.

At higher levels of need/severity, the generic care standards (comprehensive assessment, risk assessment, single care plan) apply. This assessment would normally be undertaken by a member of a specialist team.

Examples of evidence required to meet standard 34:
- numbers of staff trained to deliver these interventions and their activity data