07 Apr #Let’sTalk about Depression

As part of WHO’s “Depression: let’s talk” campaign, for World Heath Day 2017, we’ve jumped on the bandwagon to let you guys know how common depression is, and what the right steps for finding a cure are.

According to WHO, the goal of this campaign is to highlight the fact that people who suffer from depression, all over the world, seek and find help. Depression is the leading cause of ill-health and disability world wide. Statistics show that more than 300 million people are now living with depression (In 2015, it had increased by 18% from 2005.)

Why are the numbers increasing?

Lack of support for people with mental illness, coupled with a fear of judgement and stigma, prevent people from getting the treatment needed to live productive, happy and healthy lives.

It is tragic that the world has become really judgmental and really brutal to any public figure. However, a lot of us outside of the limelight also feel the pinch of living a depressed life. Even with all the media surrounding them, celebrities always indulge in talking. The more you can talk about your problems, to the people you can count on, the more weight will be lifted off your shoulder.

More than 80% of this disease burden, comes from people living in low and middle-class countries. Let’s help out anybody we know by sharing these videos:

Let’s talk about depression - focus on adolescents and young adults:

Let’s talk about depression – focus on older people

Let’s talk about depression - focus on women with young babies

James Chau shares his personal experience of depression

For people living with depression, talking about it can be the first step towards recovery. In this short video, James Chau, news presenter and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals and Health, speaks of his personal experience of depression, and what helped him recover.

I had a black dog, his name was depression

This short video tells the story of writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone’s depression and how he overcame it. It was produced by Matthew, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, to mark World Mental Health Day 2012.

Living with a black dog

This short video is a guide for partners, carers and sufferers of depression. It provides advice for those living with and caring for people with depression on what to do, what not to do, and where to go for help.

Living with a black dog was produced by writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone, in collaboration with the World Health Organization.