Join the African launch webinar of the Lancet - WPA Commission: Time for United Action on Depression will launch on the 10th November 2022
Depression is a principal cause of needless suffering in the world, according to evidence amassed over decades. However, depression is seldom recognised or understood, especially by people in communities, governments, and the health sector, as a distinct problem from other issues that people endure. There is less done to prevent and relieve the suffering and difficulties associated with depression, and few governments recognise the impediment that depression poses on economic and social growth. In fact, mental disorders are frequently misdiagnosed and underreported, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Depression is a prevalent condition that affects an estimated 3.8% of the global population, including 5.0% of adults and 5.7% of those over the age of 60 years. Depression affects around 280 million individuals worldwide. Every year, over 700,000 people die by suicide due to depression and other related mental ill health. Despite the fact that there are proven, effective treatments for mental diseases, more than 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries are neglected.
More significantly, depression is an obstacle to sustainable development in all regions, preventing individuals from realising their full potential, undermining human capital, and being linked to early death through suicide and other disorders.
The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Lancet Commission on Depression synthesised evidence from multiple contexts and developed action-oriented recommendations for a plethora of stakeholders, including communities and individuals afflicted by depression and their families; clinicians and public health practitioners; researchers who strive to comprehend as well as manage depression; as well as policymakers and health-care financiers.
To mark the African launch of The Lancet-WPA Commission, we are holding a special webinar where the Commissioners including Dr Dixon Chibanda will convey the key messages, while invited speakers from these stakeholders will discuss and deliberate on the significance and implementation of these recommendations.
Launch webinar details:
Date: Thursday, 10th November 2022
Time: 3 pm EAT | 5 pm Pakistan | 4:30 pm Afghanistan | Noon 12 pm UK
Register: Click on the link to register here.
The full Commission can be read here.
Author: WPA