World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April and marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO has chosen the theme ‘Depression – let’s talk’ to celebrate World Health Day this year. The rationale for choosing this theme is due to the rising number of people living with depression across the world but a significantly low number of people coming forward seeking help. This is despite depression being a treatable illness. Stigma surrounding mental illness is considered as one of the main barriers for people accessing help. Therefore, the chosen theme to celebrate World Health Day is apt and an obvious one. This article is aimed at the public at large, aiming to generate a conversation about the what, how and why questions related to depression. The latter part is aimed at practitioners and policymakers in healthcare.
Saturday, 8 April 2017