WHO cites lack of support, social stigma as reasons for increase in global depression rate

New Delhi: Victimizing more than 300 million people in the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared depression as the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide.

Since 2005, depression rates have taken a leap by over 18 percent, however, dearth of support for the mental health condition accompanied by the social stigma attached to it signifies that 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," Margaret Chan, the WHO's director-general, said in a statement from the UN agency's Geneva headquarters.

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.

Depression is a common mental illness characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest and lack of ability in everyday activities and work. It affects around 322 million people worldwide. At it's worst, depression can even lead to suicide.

Depression also increases the risk of several major diseases and disorders including addiction, suicidal behaviour, diabetes and heart disease, which are themselves among the world's biggest killers.

Expressing concern, the WHO also stressed upon the lack of support for people with mental health disorders in many countries, saying that only around half of people with depression get treatment in wealthier nations.

On average just 3 percent of government health budgets is spent on mental health, varying from less than 1 percent in poor countries to 5 percent in rich ones, according to the WHO.

"A better understanding of depression and how it can be treated ... is just the beginning," said Saxena. "What needs to follow is sustained scale-up of mental health services accessible to everyone, even the most remote populations."

(With inputs from Reuters)