We wanted to bring people’s attention to a report released this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It says people suffering from mild to moderate depression might respond better without antidepressants. The report comprises information from six studies and found the drugs were only slightly better than placebo. The drugs fared better in severe cases.

What’s this mean to you? Are the drugs more of a lasting remedy than a cure?

Robert DeRubeis, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Reuters news agency that the report should “give some pause” to doctors considering prescribing antidepressants. They should consider other alternatives. DeRubeis led the research team.

Our fair city was the subject of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitaity Project in 2009 and learned much about simple changes and their impact on physical and mental health.

This JAMA report on depression, we would say, fits that line of thinking. Being active and social is the best prescription.

DeRubeis told Reuters that alternatives for battling depression include exercise and psychotherapy.

He spoke with the New York Times, too: “The message for patients with mild to moderate depression is, ‘Look, medications are always an option, but there’s little evidence that they add to other efforts to shake the depression — whether it’s exercise, seeing the doctor, reading about the disorder or going for psychotherapy.’ ”