Depression is a major global disorder, and at its worst, it can lead to suicide. Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. It is therefore important to recognise the problem and get help at the earliest.
Depression is a quite common mental disorder. WHO estimates suggest that globally, around 300 million people suffer from depression. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds. India too is not immune to the problem. WHO statistics outline that around 5 crore Indians are estimated to be suffering from depression. Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India in 2015 showed that a whooping 42% of corporate employees suffer from depression. Not only that, 55% of the respondents of the survey were from the age-group of 20 to 29 years.
The disorder was not prevalent in India to such an extent earlier and thus comes the question, what leads Indians to suffer from depression? Margao-based counsellor Yogini Acharya attributes the phenomenon to several factors. “ It has happened mainly because of change in lifestyle. In earlier days, life was simple, but now it has become complicated. Secondly, people have a lot of expectations, not just from others, but also from themselves. Not meeting these expectations is a cause of great sadness.” says Acharya. Elaborating more on why people do not talk about depression openly, Navelim-based therapist Clifford De Silva of Goa Institute of Counselling says that culture today plays a role in this matter.
“Our culture values success. It discourages failure, and feelings like anger and sadness. And many a times, depressed people are told to just snap out of it.” Says Mr DeSilva. “There is nothing wrong with being depressed. Depression is easily curable, sometimes without drugs, because feelings come from our thinking. If we can change thinking, we can change the feelings.”
The disorder is also taking a toll on youth, and psychology teacher and counsellor Kirti Sawaikar outlines that students today face a lot of pressure. “There is pressure to perform, both internally as well as externally. Secondly, students today have certain expectations when they graduate and go out into the world. The conditions in job market are not always what they expected, and this gap between expectation and reality leads them to depression. Additionally, there needs to be communication between members of the family to address this issue. Sometimes parents do not have time for kids or sometimes, kids are buried into their own world of social media and mobile phone, and avoid their parents while they connect to the virtual world.” she says.
