World Health Day: WHO says depression affects 322m people worldwide
NAN-HG-51
WHO
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, April 6, 2017 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) says depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide is affecting about 322 million people.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said this in a statement to mark this year’s World Health Day in Abuja on Thursday.
Moeti said in the African region alone, close to 30 million people suffer from depression.
He said everyone was at risk of developing the disorder as it affected people of all ages, from all works of life and in all countries, adding that it is currently a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
She therefore called on countries to support mental health programmes by allocating adequate human and financial resources to respond to this growing burden.
“Depression is an illness characterised by persistent sadness, loss of interest and ability to perform daily activities for a period of over two weeks.
“It is associated with feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, tiredness and poor concentration.
“Major causes of depression include loss of loved ones or relationships, poverty, unemployment, physical illnesses, alcohol abuse, drug use and traumatic situations such as violence and war.
“As we commemorate World Health Day, I appeal to Member States to include mental health in their national health development agenda.
“The Brazzaville Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases states the necessary steps for achieving this.
“More broadly, governments, partners and civil society can work together to bring depression out of the shadows in the Region.
“WHO is committed to supporting countries to address it as an important public health problem.
“Resources to prevent, identify and treat mental health problems such as depression are very scarce.
“The African Region has a critical shortage of qualified professionals for mental health, with just one psychiatrist per one million people and a similar number of psychologists.
“The mental health workforce of psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers is woefully inadequate.
“Lack of availability of psychotropic medicines, proper information with well-structured psychotherapy and other effective measures for primary healthcare services to treat depression is cause for concern,” Moeti said.
She said that this condition at worst, could lead to suicide, which was the second leading cause of death in 15 to 29 year olds globally.
The regional director said depression varied by age, peaking in older adults aged 55 to 74 years but also occurring in children and adolescents.
She said if left untreated, depression could be recurrent, long-lasting and debilitating as it impairs an individual’s ability to cope with daily activities, and could have devastating consequences for relationships with families and friends.
She therefore reiterated the urgent need to prevent and treat those affected by this serious and complex mental health condition, adding that those affected faced significant stigma and fear of isolation which prevented them from seeking help.
According to Moeti, simply talking about depression can help prevent it by breaking down stigma.
“Seeking help by talking with trusted people can be a first step towards recovery,’’ the director said.
She said that early recognition of the symptoms was key to preventing depression from becoming a chronic illness.
“Developing community-based services which focus on depression and talk out against stigma will encourage more people to seek treatment.
“This can be done by having conversations about depression the same way we do with any other disease.
“School-based programmes which provide counseling and support persons with depression and their families, as well as early detection and prevention especially among children and youths, are also strategies to keep depression at bay.
“Individuals, families, caregivers and communities can take steps to help prevent depression by avoiding stressful situations, alcohol abuse and drug use.
“Maintaining a proper diet and physical activity can improve wellbeing and can prevent depression. Depression is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early. Let’s talk about it,” Moeti urged.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation.
This year, the theme is “Depression, let’s talk” to draw attention to the global burden of this common mental disorder. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
