"Let's Talk About Depression" is a campaign launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) within the framework of October 10 (World Mental Health Day) 2016, and is intended to run for one year. Thus, this April 7, World Health Day, depression becomes the focal point and has the opportunity to be brought to light around the world.
Why does this excite us? Because, out of all the diseases the WHO could have chosen, it chose to address a mental health condition.
Depression is the most common mental health condition in our country, affecting approximately 1 million 800 thousand Peruvians, of whom, however, it is estimated that 60% do not receive treatment (Source: National Institute of Mental Health). Worldwide, it also affects more than 350 million people, according to the WHO (2016), and its consequences are serious, potentially leading to suicide in the most extreme cases.
Depression is characterized by an overwhelming feeling of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, and it can affect our friendships and family relationships, among many other things. However, it can be prevented. And what better way to prevent it than by starting to talk about depression?
Bringing mental health issues to light is part of our responsibility as citizens and members of our community, if we wish to safeguard our well-being and development, as well as that of our friends, family, and neighbors. That is why, our struggle at De-mentes begins by making visible the importance of talking about mental health, and doing so from a #StigmaFree perspective.
It is no surprise that feelings understood as "negative," such as sadness, are continually rejected by our society. And of course, it should not come as a surprise that people want to feel good; rather, what is surprising is that we come to negate the possibility of feeling sad (except in the case of great tragedies, such as the death of a loved one). It is the social conceptions we have of our environment that shape our rejection of sadness ("men should not cry," "women are always crying," "crying is for the weak").
Why is sadness necessary in our lives? It is part of the balance of all human beings. It is inevitable that we feel sad or upset, because it is part of our nature, and it is these states that lead us to understand and appreciate the moments in which we feel joyful as well. A great example of the value of sadness, as we have mentioned in some of our Facebook posts, is found in the film Inside Out. And this is how everyday elements of our lives, such as watching a movie with family, can help us understand a little more about the complexity of human beings and emotions, and to value each of them for the role they play in our daily lives.
We applaud the WHO's decision to choose Depression as the banner of World Health Day 2017, and we hope that more entities continue to speak out on this issue. People with depression are not alone. This year, and for life, we fight for them.
