WHO runs mental health campaign as depression rates rise 18% in 10 years
The World Health Organization (WHO) is running a mental health campaign to tackle stigma and misconceptions called “Depression: Let’s Talk” as depression rates rise by more than 18% since 2005.
Depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, the WHO said, with more than 300 million people suffering. Buta lack of support for the mental health combined with a common fear of stigma means many do not get the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives.
“These new figures are a wake-up call for all countries to re-think their approaches to mental health and to treat it with the urgency it deserves,” Margaret Chan, the WHO’s director-general, said in a statement from the UN agency’s Geneva headquarters.
“For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step toward treatment and recovery,” said Shekhar Saxena, director of the WHO’s mental health department.
Depression is a common mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest and lack of ability in everyday activities and work. It affects around 322 million people worldwide. It also increases the risk of several major diseases and disorders including addiction, suicidal behavior, diabetes and heart disease, which are themselves among the world’s biggest killers
WHO expressed concern that in many countries there is little or no support for people with mental health disorders, and said only around half of people with depression get treatment in wealthier nations.
On average just 3% of government health budgets is spent on mental health, varying from less than 1% in poor countries to 5% in rich ones, according to the WHO.
“A better understanding of depression and how it can be treated … is just the beginning,” said Saxena. “What needs to follow is sustained scale-up of mental health services accessible to everyone, even the most remote populations.”