Over 300 million people in the World suffer from depression – Priyanka Mary Francis
Udupi: Over 300 million people are living in depression, the leading cause for ill health and disability worldwide said Priyanka Mary Francis Deputy commissioner of Udupi district.
She was speaking at the World Health Day programme held under the theme of “Depression – Let’s Talk” organised by the Zilla Panchayat Udupi, district health and family welfare department Udupi and G Shanker government women’s’ first grade college Ajjarkad Udupi at the Town Hall here on Friday April 7.
Depression is set to emerge as the world’s leading cause of disability in a decade-and-a-half, and India would be no exception. In India 36% people are living under depression. Unwillingness or difficulty in sharing or venting out one’s emotions with others can lead to loneliness, alienation and depression, a major mental disorder affecting about 20 % of the world’s population. It is important that there is a supporting ecosystem of family and friends that allows the suffering person to cope with the disorder with hope and dignity. As a beginning, for people with depression, talking about it can be the first step towards recovery. When we share our problems with our family members it will help them come out of depression. Ithe Udupi district free treatment, counselling and medicines are available in the district and Taluk hospitals, she added.
Udupi Zilla Panchayat president Dinakar Babu inauguragted the programm while Sheela K Shetty vice president ZP released the broacher of the awareness campaign.
Meenakshi Madhava Bannaje president of Udupi city Muncipal council, Dr Rohini DHO, Prof. Jagadish Rao principal and G Shanker government women’s’ first grade college Ajjarkad Udupi were also present.