Psychiatric disorder and mental illness is a public health problem and includes the group of diagnoses that dominates among persons on sick leave. Over the last 10 years a significant increase in mental illness has been seen especially in young people.

Why some persons, and not others, develop mental illness is due to a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental factors. Among the environmental factors are, for example, financial problems, conflicts and poor working conditions. Most of us experience severe events, such as severe illness or a close relative's death, at some point in life. Many can handle this quite well because of a good social support, but some develop mental illness. We know little about how protective factors, such as social support, interact with the genetic and environmental vulnerability to mental illness. This knowledge is essential to prevent illness and improve disease course.

Since 2006 we have an ongoing study focusing on finding risk and protective factors for depression. To help in this study 6 500 Swedish persons have responded to questionnaires and provided saliva samples. Thus, we have received a very valuable material to increase the knowledge of depression and improve future diagnosis, prognosis and prevention. Thank you so much all of you that contributed! Since the collection of material has been expensive we need continued financial support to perform analysis of the genetic material. To purify the DNA from more than 3 000 saliva samples we need 170 000 SEK.

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