Following a 2019 external review, we began a period of comprehensive self-assessment in pursuit of developing a 5-year plan. This work commenced in Spring 2020 and extended into 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic upended our planning and virtually every aspect of our operations.

During this period, we evaluated our activities since launch, accounted for the recommendations of a 2019 external review, and considered evolving societal needs as highlighted by both the pandemic and the call for increased social justice. 

The self-assessment clarified several elements of the DGC’s strategic framework. Specifically, it resulted in:

1. The articulation of our/DGC core values.
2. The development of our 4-step playbook for advancing our objectives
3. Delineation between our research objectives from our dissemination objectives.

The strategic plan outlines three research objectives and two dissemination objectives, which serve as the drivers of our work:

• Research Objective 1: Find causes and delineate trajectories of depression
• Research Objective 2: Elucidate the mechanisms underlying depression
• Research Objective 3: Develop new and better treatments
• Dissemination Objective 1: Make existing treatments more accessible, with a focus on underserved communities 
• Dissemination Objective 2: Identify and share best practices to increase the success of treatment interventions