More people depressed now than in decades: WHO
People are more depressed now than they have been for decades, a new study shows. A study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that India has the highest rate of prevalence of depresisve disorders in the WHO’s South-East Asia region. Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression, with nearly half of these people living in the South-East Asia region and the WesternPacific region, reflecting the relatively larger populations of India and China.
According to new global health estimates on depression by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of people living with depression is growing, with an increase of 18 per cent between 2005-2015. India reported the maximum of 5,66,75,969 total cases of depressive disorders in 2015, followed by Indonesia (91,62,886), Bangaldesh (63,91,760). India also leads in anxiety disorders, with the total cases being reported at 3,84,25,093.
As per the report, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease, with more women getting affected by depression than men. At its worst,
322m people in the world living with depression
4.4% proportion of global population with depression in 2015 18.4% Increase in estimated number of people with depression between 2005 and 2015
Depression is more common among females (5.1%) than males (3.6%). Prevalence varies from region to region
Prevalence rates vary by age and peak in older adulthood (above 7.5% among females aged 55-74 years, and above 5.5% among males)
depression which may lead to suicide is also affecting a large number of the population. The report reveals that close to 8,00,000 people die due to suicide every year, with suicide being the second leading cause of death in 15 to 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 per cent) receive such treatments,” the report said.
With the burden of depression and other mental health conditions on the rise globally, the World Health Assembly resolution passed in May 2013 has called for a comprehensive, coordinated response to mental disorders at country level.