The purpose of this essay is to introduce a threat‐based beliefs model of treatment‐seeking for depression through the discussion of facilitative threats (i.e. beliefs regarding the negative impact of depression on personal functioning that may facilitate treatment engagement) and to propose potential treatment strategies that mental health and psychiatric nurses can utilize to encourage their patients to receive treatment for depression. Considering mental health and psychiatric nurses play an important role in maintaining the mental health of their patients, this information could prove invaluable to assist nurses in helping their patients to not only receive treatment for their depression, but also to maintain their treatment‐seeking motivations. This essay will begin by discussing the staggering lack of treatment‐seeking for depression.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens details. To access full-text: click “Log in/Register” (top right hand side). Click ‘Institutional Login’ then select 'OpenAthens Federation', then ‘NHS England’. Enter your Athens details to view the article.