Message from the Director

It is estimated that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of world disability (WHO, 2001) and by 2030 it is expected to be the largest contributor to disease burden (WHO, 2008). It is now estimated that 350 million people globally are affected by depression. These alarming statistics pose a wakeup call for government and civil society to address this non-communicable disease.

Depression is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease and has no ethnic, racist, age, geographic and/or socio-economic bias. There is a major economic issue related to depression because of loss of the ability to conduct a normal life, such as maintaining a job, attending school and general activities of daily living.

Across the globe, depression imposes a huge economic burden, not only on individuals with this disorder, but also on their families, communities, employers, health care systems and general government budgets. There is also strong evidence from studies in a number of high-income countries that, if untreated, depression in childhood and youth can have profound longstanding social and economic consequences in adulthood. More importantly, depression, if left untreated, can lead to danger to self and others, and potentially, suicide.

In its report on the South African Youth Context, the National Youth Development Agency incorporates a very poignant section on the prevalence of suicide Key points include:

• Global trends suggest that suicide is increasingly being reported amongst younger people (WHO, 2002).
• Suicidal behaviour is a major health concern in countries around the world, both developed and developing.
• Many more people, especially the young and middle-aged, attempt suicide.

From all of these various studies one thing has become clear: our youth is under threat and we have to do something about it. In August, our biennial conference centred around the theme Youth and Mental Health.

World Mental Health Day – a signature project of the World Federation for Mental Health – is celebrated on 10 October annually and in 2012 the aim is to encourage governments and civil society around the world to address depression as a widespread illness that affects individuals, their families and peers, and to recognise that it is a treatable condition. The focus here is naturally also on the youth this year.

I thank you most sincerely for your ongoing support. It is invaluable to the Federation and its mission.