World Health Day: Let's talk about depression

By Davis Akampurira

Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. According to the latest estimates from World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015.

The World Health Day is celebrated by the people all across the world every year on 7th of April under the leadership of World Health Organisation to draw the mass people attention towards the importance of global health.

World Health Assembly was held first time in the year 1948 in Geneva, Switzerland by the WHO where it was decided to commemorate the World Health Day annually on April 7. It was first celebrated worldwide in the year 1950 as the World Health Day.

Globally, around 350 million people of all ages, from all walks of life, suffer from depression. It causes mental anguish and impacts on people's ability to carry out even the simplest everyday tasks, with sometimes devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, now the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year olds. Yet, depression can be prevented and treated.

The theme "Depression: Let us Talk" recognises that depression is a treatable condition and seeks to address the fact that, despite this, about 50% of cases of major depression still go untreated. The high personal, social and economic costs and the large proportion of people who are not receiving any treatment, even though there are available, cheap and effective care. The above underscores the importance of overcoming this challenge.

We urge young people to work together to build a more humane society in order to prevent depression. In the past, we have created awareness activities through platforms that involve young people to gain the needed knowledge on physical and mental health.

A better understanding of what depression is and how it can be prevented and treated, will help reduce the stigma associated with the condition and lead to more people seeking help. We also shall continue to strive towards the promotion of healthier standards of living and the implementation of programmes that enhance health indices of the society, particularly those of youth.

Happy World Health Day

The writer is the Team leader of the Africa Leadership Awards