Depression, often referred to as mental health, is a common illness worldwide, affecting an estimated 4% of the population.
Approximately 290 million people in the world have or have experienced depression.
Depression is different from what may be labelled as mood fluctuations or short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life.
It can cause the affected person to function poorly at work, at school and in the family and can lead to more severe health conditions and it can lead to suicide.
It is estimated that somewhere between 700,000 and 800,000 people die yearly from suicide.
Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds who may become a severe health condition.
Although there are known, effective treatments for mental disorders, more than 75% of people in low to middle-income countries receive no treatment.
Barriers to effective care include a lack of trained healthcare providers and the social stigma associated with mental disorders.
The Black Dog Institute was established in 1985 as a charity offering peer-to-peer support for people struggling with their mental health or depression.
It consists of volunteers who have lived experiences of their mental health battles and understand what someone suffering from depression is going through.
They offer FREE and ONLINE support via a chat service every day.
Major Depression Associated with Being Overweight
You may hear your doctor call this “major depressive disorder.” You might have this type if you feel depressed most of the time for most days of the week.
Some other symptoms you might have are:
- Loss of interest or pleasure in your activities
- Weight loss or gain
- Trouble getting to sleep or feeling sleepy during the day
- Feeling restless and agitated, or else very sluggish and slowed down physically or mentally
- Being tired and without energy
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of suicide
