Facts About Depression To Remind Us That We're Still Not Talking About Mental Health Enough

For most people, the understanding of depression is that it is a certain kind of sad mood. It is much more than that.

Depression is a type of mental illness usually characterised by a loss of interest in daily activities and an overall low mood. While these sound like words here, their impact can be devastating.

Depression can wreak havoc in a person’s life as they go through feelings they don’t understand and then also have to face the social stigma associated with mental illness. It is becoming a growing problem when it comes to the modern life. It is something we need to find solutions for instead of hiding behind social taboos.

And while there's a growing conversation on mental health globally, and in India, these 11 scary facts will remind you that we're probably still not talking about it enough.

1. WHO has estimated that every one in four people in the world will be affected by mental disorders at some point in their lives.

This means that even if you’re not the one battling it, it could be the person sitting next to you or a family member who might be struggling with mental illness. This is exactly why we need to dispel the stigma around mental illness.

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2. Globally, it was estimated that the total number of people with depression was over 300 million in 2015 which is equivalent to 4.3% of the world’s population.

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3. In India, the National Mental Health Survey 2015-16 revealed that one in twenty Indians suffers from depression.

Given the social stigma around depression, it is possible that someone close to you, someone you see doing everyday things with a smile on their face, may be silently suffering from depression.

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4. Depression, after a point, can push a person to the point where they feel suicide is the only option.

It is estimated that over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. Reportedly, in 2012, India had over 2, 58,000 suicides and the age group of 15-49 years was the most affected. Right here is a public health crisis we need to deal with immediately.

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5. According to a survey by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), 42.5% of the corporate employees in India are battling depression.

The scary part is that the rate of depression found in corporate employees has increased from 45% to 50% between 2008 and 2015.

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6. Depression has physical symptoms.

This, to an extent, can help us figure out if a loved one needs medical attention. Headache, stomach problems, and even shortness of breath can be symptoms of depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, US.

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7. Depression can physically change your brain.

A review of research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry says that ‘imaging studies of the brain can show some of the structures and brain circuits that work differently when a person is depressed.’

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8. The World Health Organization considers depression to be the leading cause of disability worldwide.

When one has depression they start losing interest in daily activities and also lose the will to work, be it socially or work that can improve the self. In fact, even getting out of bed can be a tough task.

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9. Research published in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research has made the observation that excessive social media usage might be a leading factor of depression, especially in teens.

This could be because they feel the need to stay connected to their screens while feeling disappointed and worthless comparing their lives to others.

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10. It is believed that women are more affected by depression than men.

This could be due to hormonal changes that start when they hit puberty; the same hormones are at their peak around the time of pregnancy as well.

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11. A study from the American Heart Association links depression and anxiety to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among adults ages 45 or older.

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