WHO study Number of people with depression is again rising sharply

More than four percent of the world population affected
More and more people worldwide are living with depression. According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) study, an estimated 322 million people were diagnosed with depression in 2015 - more than 18 percent more than ten years ago. According to the WHO, adolescents, older people and women are particularly susceptible to mental disorders. The World Health Day on April 7 will focus on the theme: "Depression - Let's Talk".

More cases due to high life expectancy
Whether sustained depressed mood, lack of drive, anxiety or sleep disorders: People are increasingly suffering from the symptoms of depression. According to the news agency "dpa", a new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that in 2015 around 322 million people were affected by the mental disorder. This corresponds to a share of 4.4 percent of the world population.

Young people and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to depression, according to the WHO. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com)

Ten years earlier, 18.4 percent fewer people were affected. The reasons for the drastic increase would lie primarily in the population growth and the increased life expectancy, because especially older people are particularly susceptible to the disease. "Depression is the leading cause of life impairment in the world today," study author Dan Chisholm said Thursday in Geneva.

Older people are particularly vulnerable
Especially people between the ages of 55 and 74, according to the WHO, would suffer from depression more often than average. In this age group 7.5 percent of women and 5.5 percent of men fell ill, about as many people would suffer from anxiety disorders. In many cases, even both disorders would come together.

However, from the point of view of the WHO experts, there is a particular need for action, not only for the elderly, but also for young people. "Today's youth is under pressure like no other generation before it," said study author Chisholm, according to the Canadian broadcaster "CBC News" in a news briefing.

Similarly, women have an increased risk of developing a pre-and post-partum child: "Another target group is women who are pregnant or have just given birth. Depression is indeed very common in this phase, and about 15 percent of women experience not just a "baby blues" but a diagnosable form of depression, "Chisholm continued.

Depression is one of the most underestimated diseases
In Germany, according to the German Depressionshilfe Foundation, about 5 percent of the population aged 18-65 are currently suffering from depression that requires treatment. This corresponds to approximately 3.1 million people, and according to the Foundation, account must be taken of the fact that there are also those under the age of 18 and over 65. Accordingly, about 4 million people are currently suffering from a depressive episode. According to the Foundation, depression is one of the most frequently and severely underestimated diseases in terms of severity and is one of the most widespread diseases.

Education campaign to promote an open approach to the topic
The WHO is now fighting with the campaign "Depression: Let's talk" against stigmatization and misunderstandings. "If we want to dehumanize mental health, depression and other mental disorders, then, in our view, it's an important first step that we need to be able to talk about it," said Chisholm, according to CBC News. (No)