World Health Day
Fact sheet
Depression
Key facts
According to the 2015 Global Health Estimates:
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Globally, 322 million people were living with depression in 2015; this represents over 4% of the
global population.
In the WHO South-East Asia
Region 86 million people
suffer from depression.
The total number of people
living with depression
increased by over 18%
between 2005 and 2015.
This was as a result of the
overall growth of the global
population, as well as an
increase in the number of
people surviving to ages at
which depression is more
common.
Cases of depressive disorder (millions), by WHO Region
29.19
9%
85.67
27%
40.27
12%
48.16
15%
South-East Asia Region
Western Pacific Region
African Region
322 million
Region of the Americas
European Region
66.21
21%
52.98
16%
Eastern Mediterranean Region
Source: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. WHO 2017
Depression is the leading cause of disability [7.5% (worldwide) and 7% (in South-East Asia Region)
of all years lived with disability in 2015].
Depression is a major
contributor to the overall
global burden of disease.
Depression is more
common among women
(5.1%), than men (3.6%).
Prevalence rates vary by
age, peaking in older
adulthood.
Depression also occurs in
children and adolescents
below the age of 15 years,
but at a lower level than in
older age groups.
Prevalence of depression disorders
in WHO South-East Asia Region
4.1
4.2
Bangladesh
Bhutan
DPR Korea
India
Indonesia
Maldives
Myanmar
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Timor-Leste
0.0
3.7
4.5
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.2
4.1
4.4
3.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
% of Population
Source: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. WHO 2017
At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. It is estimated that, in 2015, 800 000 people died by
suicide. Globally suicide was the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds in 2015.
Let’s talk
feelings of guilt or low self-worth, poor concentration
and even medically unexplained symptoms.
Barriers to effective care
There are effective treatments for depression but
nearly 50% of people with depression do not get
treatment. Low levels of recognition and access to care
for depression and anxiety lead to an estimated global
economic loss of more than a trillion US dollars every
year. Some of the barriers to effective care are:
~
~
Lack of resources and trained health-care providers:
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, on an average,
less than 1% of the government health budgets is
invested in mental health.
Inaccurate assessments; people who are depressed
are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who
do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed
and prescribed antidepressants.
~
5.9
Timor-Leste
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Myanmar
Maldives
Indonesia
India
D P R Korea
Bhutan
Bangladesh
6.7
6.9
~
5.4
6.1
7.0
6.6
7.1
6.5
6.9
7.1
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Bipolar affective disorder is a type of depression
which typically consists of both manic and depressive
episodes separated by periods of normal mood.
Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood,
over-activity, pressure of speech, inflated self-esteem
and a decreased need for sleep.
Risk factors
~
Health loss/disease burden due to depressive disorders
in WHO South-East Asia Region
0.0 1.0
~
~
Depression results from a complex interaction
of social, psychological and biological factors.
People who have gone through adverse life events
(unemployment, bereavement, psychological
trauma) are more likely to develop depression.
Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and
dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life
situation and depression itself.
There are interrelationships between depression and
physical health. For example, cardiovascular disease
and diabetes can increase the risk of depression and
vice versa.
Hormonal factors may contribute to the increased
rate of depression in women.
Prevention
% of years lived with disability
Source: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates.
WHO 2017
~
Types and symptoms
~
~
~
~
Depending on the number and severity of symptoms,
a depressive episode can be categorized as mild,
moderate, or severe.
An individual with a mild depressive episode will
have some difficulty in continuing with ordinary
work and social activities, but will probably not cease
to function completely. During a severe depressive
episode, it is very unlikely that the sufferer will be
able to continue with ordinary work and social
activities, or domestic activities.
Recurrent depressive disorder involves repeated
depressive episodes. During these episodes, the
person experiences depressed moods, loss of interest
in their surroundings, daily activities and social
interactions. There is reduced energy leading to
diminished activity for at least two weeks.
Many people with depression also suffer from anxiety
symptoms, disturbed sleep and appetite may have
~
~
Effective community approaches such as schoolbased programmes to enhance a pattern of positive
thinking in children and adolescents.
Interventions for parents of children with behavioural
problems to reduce parental depressive symptoms
and improve outcomes for their children.
Exercise programmes for the elderly.
Treatment and return on investment
~
~
~
The most common mental health disorders can be
prevented and treated, at relatively low cost.
Treatment usually involves either a talking therapy
or antidepressant medication or a combination of
these.
Every US$ 1 invested in scaling up treatment for
depression and anxiety leads to a return of US$ 4
in better health and ability to work.
Depression
Key facts
According to the 2015 Global Health Estimates:
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
Globally, 322 million people were living with depression in 2015; this represents over 4% of the
global population.
In the WHO South-East Asia
Region 86 million people
suffer from depression.
The total number of people
living with depression
increased by over 18%
between 2005 and 2015.
This was as a result of the
overall growth of the global
population, as well as an
increase in the number of
people surviving to ages at
which depression is more
common.
Cases of depressive disorder (millions), by WHO Region
29.19
9%
85.67
27%
40.27
12%
48.16
15%
South-East Asia Region
Western Pacific Region
African Region
322 million
Region of the Americas
European Region
66.21
21%
52.98
16%
Eastern Mediterranean Region
Source: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. WHO 2017
Depression is the leading cause of disability [7.5% (worldwide) and 7% (in South-East Asia Region)
of all years lived with disability in 2015].
Depression is a major
contributor to the overall
global burden of disease.
Depression is more
common among women
(5.1%), than men (3.6%).
Prevalence rates vary by
age, peaking in older
adulthood.
Depression also occurs in
children and adolescents
below the age of 15 years,
but at a lower level than in
older age groups.
Prevalence of depression disorders
in WHO South-East Asia Region
4.1
4.2
Bangladesh
Bhutan
DPR Korea
India
Indonesia
Maldives
Myanmar
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Timor-Leste
0.0
3.7
4.5
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.2
4.1
4.4
3.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
% of Population
Source: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. WHO 2017
At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. It is estimated that, in 2015, 800 000 people died by
suicide. Globally suicide was the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds in 2015.
Let’s talk
feelings of guilt or low self-worth, poor concentration
and even medically unexplained symptoms.
Barriers to effective care
There are effective treatments for depression but
nearly 50% of people with depression do not get
treatment. Low levels of recognition and access to care
for depression and anxiety lead to an estimated global
economic loss of more than a trillion US dollars every
year. Some of the barriers to effective care are:
~
~
Lack of resources and trained health-care providers:
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, on an average,
less than 1% of the government health budgets is
invested in mental health.
Inaccurate assessments; people who are depressed
are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who
do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed
and prescribed antidepressants.
~
5.9
Timor-Leste
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Myanmar
Maldives
Indonesia
India
D P R Korea
Bhutan
Bangladesh
6.7
6.9
~
5.4
6.1
7.0
6.6
7.1
6.5
6.9
7.1
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Bipolar affective disorder is a type of depression
which typically consists of both manic and depressive
episodes separated by periods of normal mood.
Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood,
over-activity, pressure of speech, inflated self-esteem
and a decreased need for sleep.
Risk factors
~
Health loss/disease burden due to depressive disorders
in WHO South-East Asia Region
0.0 1.0
~
~
Depression results from a complex interaction
of social, psychological and biological factors.
People who have gone through adverse life events
(unemployment, bereavement, psychological
trauma) are more likely to develop depression.
Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and
dysfunction and worsen the affected person’s life
situation and depression itself.
There are interrelationships between depression and
physical health. For example, cardiovascular disease
and diabetes can increase the risk of depression and
vice versa.
Hormonal factors may contribute to the increased
rate of depression in women.
Prevention
% of years lived with disability
Source: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates.
WHO 2017
~
Types and symptoms
~
~
~
~
Depending on the number and severity of symptoms,
a depressive episode can be categorized as mild,
moderate, or severe.
An individual with a mild depressive episode will
have some difficulty in continuing with ordinary
work and social activities, but will probably not cease
to function completely. During a severe depressive
episode, it is very unlikely that the sufferer will be
able to continue with ordinary work and social
activities, or domestic activities.
Recurrent depressive disorder involves repeated
depressive episodes. During these episodes, the
person experiences depressed moods, loss of interest
in their surroundings, daily activities and social
interactions. There is reduced energy leading to
diminished activity for at least two weeks.
Many people with depression also suffer from anxiety
symptoms, disturbed sleep and appetite may have
~
~
Effective community approaches such as schoolbased programmes to enhance a pattern of positive
thinking in children and adolescents.
Interventions for parents of children with behavioural
problems to reduce parental depressive symptoms
and improve outcomes for their children.
Exercise programmes for the elderly.
Treatment and return on investment
~
~
~
The most common mental health disorders can be
prevented and treated, at relatively low cost.
Treatment usually involves either a talking therapy
or antidepressant medication or a combination of
these.
Every US$ 1 invested in scaling up treatment for
depression and anxiety leads to a return of US$ 4
in better health and ability to work.