Fight stigma. Speak out about depression

6 April 2017 – On World Health Day, 7 April,  the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on individuals and communities to speak out about depression and to fight the stigma surrounding it. The slogan for this year’s Day is “Depression: let’s talk”. Talking about depression helps break down stigma and encourages more people to seek help. To commemorate World Health Day this year, WHO and the Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon are holding a regional celebration under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers H.E. Mr Saad Hariri at the Serail in Beirut, Lebanon.  Currently, more than 300 million people around the world are living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. Depression is an illness in which people feel overwhelming sadness, lose interest in activities they enjoy and find it difficult to carry out daily tasks. It can affect anyone, anywhere, especially populations experiencing humanitarian crises. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1 in 5 people are affected by depression and anxiety as a result of armed conflict, insecurity and displacement.  Dr Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, says, “Despite common misperceptions, depression is not a sign of weakness but stigma and discrimination are preventing people from seeking the care they need. Effective treatment is available through talking therapies and antidepressant medications, or a combination of both. Mr Ghassan Hasban...
Source: WHO EMRO News - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news