WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is more than a low mood. It is a “whole-body” illness, involving your body, mind and emotions. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. These problems can become chronic or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to cope with daily life. At its most severe manifestation, depression can lead to suicide. Most cases of depression can be treated with psychotherapy.

The Philippines has the highest¹ incidence of depression in Southeast Asia. In 2004, there were over 4.5 million cases of depression reported in the Philippines.

Of this number:

• Only one-third will seek help
• The other third will suffer the symptoms but will be ashamed to seek help, because of the stigma associated to the illness. These symptomatic would rather keep it to themselves and suffer in pain and in silence.
• The other third will suffer the symptoms not knowing what is wrong with them.

Knowing what depression is all about is already a big step in managing the illness. There is an urgent need to empower individuals suffering from the illness with resources, professional help and organizational linkages that can open new doors and bring light in their journey of suffering and pain to that of positive self-discovery and well-being. The families and friends of people suffering from depression are equally important stakeholders who also need to know and understand the illness to enable them to respond and provide constructive support to their love ones during these difficult times.