The depression affects 86 million people in the region of Southeast Asia, said WHO, praising India for recently passing the bill on mental health care and called on nations to the quality of mental health services. This year's World Health Day focuses on depression, a persistent ailment, or a loss of interest or pleasure in things usually appreciated.
Noting that depression can lead to suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-29 in the region, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Said that depression-related health services need to be made more accessible and of better quality.
On the eve of World Health Day, Singh said that if left untreated, the most severe form of depression could lead to suicide and asked communities to talk openly about the syndrome to avoid testing and Precious lives. Singh has completed India's recent legislation decriminalizing suicide and seeking to provide health care and services to people with mental health problems.
"Mental health has been among the top 10 health priorities in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka in recent years. Eight of the 11 member countries have mental health policies or plans, "She said. "We are also better placed to support colleagues, friends or relatives who may have depression," she said.
"By talking about depression more openly and by better understanding of signs and symptoms of the condition, we are in a stronger position to help ourselves if we experience depression-like symptoms," Singh said.
Although depression affects all demographic groups, it is more prevalent among adolescents and young people, women of childbearing age (especially after childbirth) and people over the age of 60.
Signs and symptoms of depression include disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, feeling guilty, low self-esteem, tired feelings and lethargy. It can also manifest as physical agitation or agitation, substance abuse, reduced concentration, and suicidal thoughts or actions, Singh said
Stressing that support for people with depression is vitally important, Singh said, "Health services in the region, related to depression, need to be more accessible and better. This is possible even in low- and middle-income settings. "At present, less than 1 per cent of government health spending in low- and middle-income countries is allocated to mental health," she said.
Healthcare workers at all levels can be better trained to detect the signs and symptoms of depression, community health facilities can be better integrated with national mental health networks, Singh said.
The World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April each year to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization. Each year, a theme is identified that highlights a priority area of public health
