.
Set delivery address
Change
Set delivery address
Change

Let’s talk about depression

Depression is one of the biggest illnesses worldwide with more than 300 million people suffering from it.

09 October 2019
by Jolandi Morkel

Every 40 seconds, someone in the world commits suicide. That means that up to 800 000 people take their own lives, every year! 90% of these suicides are caused by depression.

These statistics are enough to realise that we need to create more awareness of mental health issues. This is exactly what the World Health Organisation wants to achieve with World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2019.

Depression is one of the biggest illnesses worldwide with more than 300 million people suffering from it. In spite of the large numbers, people still have a negative association with depression. The stigma is one of the key things that we need to change if we want people who suffer from depression to seek treatment and get better.

What is depression?

Depression is an illness that can be treated with medication and therapy, yet less than half of people suffering from depression seek treatment. It’s different from common daily mood fluctuations or emotional reactions to what’s happening around us.

The main difference is that depression is an abnormal emotional state where someone feels sad and down about everything. It affects the way you think, feel, act and touches every part of your life. People suffering from depression rarely feel any joy and can be irritable, impatient, and tired all the time.

In its worst state, depression can lead to suicide and it is still the biggest cause of suicide in South Africa. The main obstacles in SA are the lack of resources for sufferers and the negative social stigma associated with mental disorders.

How to know if someone is suffering from depression?

If you’re concerned that you or someone you know suffers from depression, these are the symptoms to look out for according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). If someone has 5 to 9 of these symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, it’s probably best to seek medical advice. *

  • Any change in sleep patterns. It can be either too much or too little sleep.
  • Any changes in appetite that causes weight gain or weight loss (without trying to lose weight).
  • Loss of energy or fatigue
  • Slowing or speeding up of physical activity
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Feelings of excessive or inappropriate guilt
  • Difficulty concentrating and indecisiveness
  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

At least one symptom needs to be:

  • A depressed mood
  • A loss of interest or pleasure in something you previously enjoyed

Even though the stigma around depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems have improved in the last couple of years, people are still afraid to seek help or even admit to themselves that they suffer from this debilitating illness.

We speak openly about diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure, why not depression? With as many as 1 in every 6 South Africans suffering from depression, we need to work towards a society where the D-word is not something to be ashamed of and where people can feel free to seek help without judgement.

If you need help, contact SADAG. For counselling queries e-mail: [email protected] 

To contact a counsellor between 8am-8pm Monday to Sunday, Call: 011 234 4837 

For a suicidal Emergency contact us on 0800 567 567. The 24hr Helpline 0800 456 789

*Disclaimer: This is not a diagnostic tool. Contact your doctor if you suspect you might be depressed.