Let’s talk, WHO says, as depression rate zooms

LONDON: Depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday, with more than 300 million people suffering.

Rates of depression have risen by more than 18 per cent since 2005, but a 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,” said Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General.

The WHO is running a mental health campaign to tackle stigma and misconceptions called “Depression: Let’s Talk”. “For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery,” said Shekhar Saxena, director of the WHO’s mental health department. — Reuters