Even though the function of the brain is a mystery, the causes and effects of depression are not. The facts about depression and the statistics are STAGGERING! The question is what to do about it? Education is the first step on learning about an illness that is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Education is power!
Some facts about depression:
Depression affects all people regardless of age, geographic location, demographic or social position.
5.4% of the US population (about 19 million people) suffer from depression
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression
1 in 4 young adults will suffer from an episode of depression before the age of 24
54% believe depression is a personal weakness
80% of depressed people are not getting treatment
41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to ask for help
Cardiovascular disease can lead to depression – and vice versa
Even though depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, it is estimated that antidepressants work for only 30% of the depressed population.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the 2nd highest medical cause of disability by the year 2030, 2nd only to HIV/AIDS
About the Doris A. Howell Foundation:
The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research is committed to keeping the women we love healthy, advancing women’s health through research and educating women to be catalysts for improving family health in the community.
The organization does so by funding scholarships to scientists researching issues affecting women’s health; providing a forum for medical experts, scientists, doctors, researchers, and authors to convey the timely information on topics relevant to women’s health and the health. of their families through its Lecture and Evening Series, and by funding research initiatives that will create women’s health awareness and advocacy in the community.
For more information about the Doris A. Howell Foundation, please visit www.howellfoundation.org.
