WHO releases new estimates on depression

The number of people living with depression increased by more than 18% between 2005 and 2015, according to a new WHO report. Depression is also the largest cause of disability worldwide. More than 80% of this disease burden is among people living in low- and middle-income countries. 

The release of these estimates, along with corresponding data on anxiety disorders, comes just six weeks before the World Health Day, which this year will focus on depression. World Health Day will be the highlight of a one-year campaign “Depression: let’s talk”, the goal of which is that more people with depression, in all countries, seek and get help.