Understanding Depression
Everyone feels sad or upset sometimes; it is a normal response to difficult or distressing experiences. Depression is different. It is a serious condition that involves symptoms that are so intense that they interfere with day to day living over a prolonged period.
On any day 250,000 people in Wales, 6 million in the UK, 21 million in Europe and 121 million people worldwide have depression. Despite this, public awareness of depression remains low, with relatively few people knowing how to recognise depression and far fewer understanding how to help and support someone affected by the condition.
Lack of understanding means that millions of people become more severely ill, and stay ill for much longer than would otherwise be the case. In addition to the personal costs that result from lack of understanding, the nation pays more than £12 billion a year through:
- lost production
- lost taxation
- increased benefits payments
- increased health and social care costs
Unserstanding depression is a crucial first step on the road to recovery for those affected by depression, and it is essential health education for everyone else.
