WHO: Depression and Facts

Source: awidowspursuit.com

It's been a while I engaged with you. I feel glad that I'm making it today to engage you with this post which I found important because of the rate of depression among individuals in our societies, communities, places of work and worship, schools, in the streets and at home. With no doubt, I'm sure that many of us know about depression if not had experience of the same. What is depression, one may ask? Depression is a common illness. Yes, it's an illness very common to many people around the world. Before we continue with detail information, let us look at the key factors:

• Depression is a common mental disorder which around the world, more than 300 million people of all ages suffers from.
• Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world and at the same time a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
• More women are affected by depression than men.
• At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.
• Depression has effective psychological and pharmacological treatments.

Overview

Depression is a common illness over the world, with more than 300 million people affected. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. That's very clear. When long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. It may cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. 

At its worst, depression can lead to suicide as we have seen over the years, and most recently, Kate Spade. Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds.

Although there are known, effective treatments for depression, fewer than half of those affected in the world (in many countries, fewer than 10%) receive such treatments. Barriers to effective care include a lack of resources, lack of trained health-care providers, and social stigma associated with mental disorders. 

Another barrier to effective care is an inaccurate assessment. In countries of all income levels, people who are depressed are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed and prescribed antidepressants.

The burden of depression and other mental health conditions is on the rise globally. A World Health Assembly resolution passed in May 2013 has called for a comprehensive, coordinated response to mental disorders at a country level.

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