Depression — the global problem

Around 350 million people around the world have depression, according to the World Health Organisation, with more than 800,000 a year taking their own lives. It disproportionately affects people in the global south, particularly in countries torn apart by war where poverty and disease are in constant attendance. With many countries having just a tiny number of psychiatrists and mental health nurses, governments are taking a different road, training primary healthcare workers in how to spot mental health problems. It’s a multifaceted problem, fraught with pitfalls and stigma. The organisation Scidev.net put a spotlight on the problem.