AMN
The number of people living with depression increased by more than 18% between 2005 and 2015, according to a new WHO report. Depression is also the largest cause of disability worldwide. More than 80% of this disease burden is among people living in low- and middle-income countries.
The release of these estimates, along with corresponding data on anxiety disorders, comes just six weeks before the World Health Day, which this year will focus on depression. World Health Day will be the highlight of a one-year campaign “Depression: let’s talk”, the goal of which is that more people with depression, in all countries, seek and get help.
The total number of people living with depression in the world is 322 million. Nearly half of these people live in the South-East Asia Region and Western Pacific Region, reflecting the relatively larger populations of those two Regions (which include India and China, for example).
The total estimated number of people living with depression increased by 18.4% between 2005 and 2015 [5]; this reflects the overall growth of the global population, as well as a proportionate increase in the age groups at which depression is more prevalent.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are common mental disorders? What is depression?
Common mental disorders refer to two main diagnostic categories: depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. These disorders are highly prevalent in the population (hence why they are considered ‘common’), and impact on the mood or feelings of affected persons; symptoms range in terms of their severity (from mild to severe) and duration (from months to years).
These disorders are diagnosable health conditions, and are distinct from feelings of sadness, stress or fear that anyone can experience from time to time in their lives.
2. How many people are affected by depression? At a global level, over 300 million people are estimated to suffer from depression, equivalent to 4.3% of the world’s population.
3. Is the number of people with common mental disorders increasing?
The number of persons with common mental disorders globally is going up, particularly in lower-income countries, because the population is growing and more people are living to the age when depression and anxiety most commonly occurs.
. 4. Who is most likely to get depressed?
Although depression can and does affect people of all ages, from all walks of life, the risk of becoming depressed is increased by poverty, unemployment, life events such as the death of a loved one or a relationship break-up, physical illness and problems caused by alcohol and drug use.