Depression: A Global Crisis

Statistics on depression

World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental-health issues. The day promotes open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. This year, the theme for the day is 'Depression: A Global Crisis'.

Depression affects more than 350 million people of all ages, in all communities, and is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. Although there are known effective treatments for depression, access to treatment is a problem in most countries, and in some countries, fewer than 10 per cent of those who need it receive such treatment.

While depression is the leading cause of disability for both males and females, the burden of depression is 50 per cent higher for females than males (WHO, 2008).

In fact, depression is the leading cause of disease burden for women in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2008).

Prevalence of depression - One out of 10 people suffer from major depression and almost one out of five persons has suffered from this disorder during his (or her) lifetime (one-year prevalence is 10 per cent and lifetime prevalence 17 per cent) (Kessler et al 1994).

By 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of world disability (WHO, 2001), and by 2030; it is expected to be the largest contributor to disease burden (WHO, 2008).

Source: The World Health Organisation