Depression affects over 300 million individuals worldwide. It is the most common mental health problem. Many people thought that depression only existed in rich countries, but it is also prevalent in third world countries. Due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, people from developing countries have limited access to education, healthcare, civil rights, and social participation in their communities.
Many countries do not allocate enough resources towards mental healthcare access and funding. In developed nations, mental health receives 5% of the government’s health budget, while in developing nations, it receives less than 1%. Investing in treatment for depression and anxiety is beneficial for society. Every dollar spent on treatment leads to a $4 return in productivity. Globally, depression and anxiety result in a loss of $1 trillion annually across 36 nations.
Depression and Treatments
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is a prevalent but serious condition characterized by prolonged sadness that can disrupt or severely impact daily life. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder can be made when an individual experiences symptoms of a depressed mood or a loss of interest and pleasure, along with other symptoms such as changes in weight, sleep patterns, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, or suicidal thoughts. One study found that depression is a major contributor to loss of productivity, health, and life. Although not considered a fatal condition, its occurrence continues to increase significantly.
Currently, there are many effective therapies for depression available. Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy can teach patients strategies for positive thinking and coping mechanisms. These therapies alone can be sufficient for treating mild to moderate depression.
For more severe cases, therapy can be combined with medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and tricyclics. The choice of medication will depend on the patient’s needs. In addition to therapy and medication, brain stimulation therapies can also be used. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the oldest and best-researched procedure, involves passing an electric current through the patient’s brain. While the exact mechanism of how ECT works to treat depression is not fully understood, research has shown it to be effective.
Depression in Developing Countries
Depression in developing countries differs from that in more developed nations. This is due to the unique challenges and stressors present in these areas, such as conflict, torture, epidemics, poverty, food insecurity, the loss of children, and homelessness. Studies have shown a strong connection between women and depression because of early marriage and motherhood, multiple pregnancies, and a lack of control over their own lives. In addition, there are fewer mental health professionals in developing countries.
The situation for mental health in developing nations is alarming. In Uganda, for example, there is no specific mental health policy and no government funding for mental health. There are only 28 mental health outpatient facilities in the entire country, and there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals and workers.
There is only one psychiatrist for over a million people, one mental health care nurse for every 130,000 people, and one psychologist for every 5 million people. Similarly, in Indonesia, while a mental health policy exists, there is no government funding and a shortage of mental health professionals. The only statistic available is for psychiatrists, with one for every 10 million people, or only 23 in the entire nation. Other countries, such as Sierra Leone and Liberia, which are classified as least developed by the UN and are recovering from the Ebola epidemic, have even fewer resources. Reports showed they only had one psychiatrist in the entire country. Also, there are no mental health facilities in Sierra Leone, but Liberia has one.
The lack of resources, particularly mental health professionals, makes it difficult to treat depression in developing nations. Traditional treatment methods such as medication and therapy are not possible without the guidance of mental health professionals. To address this issue, depression treatment in developing countries must be widely available, affordable, culturally sensitive, easily accessible, and non-stigmatizing.
Just as depression is a significant problem in developed countries, access to resources and treatment for depression is also limited in third world countries. The World Health Organization launched a worldwide effort outlining the state of mental health resources available in all member states, which covered 98% of the world’s population.
- 41% have no mental health policy.
- 25% have no legislation on mental health.
- 28% have no separate budget for mental health.
- 41% do not have treatment facilities for severe mental disorders in primary health care.
- 37% have no community health care facilities.
- About 65% of the beds for mental health care are in mental hospitals.
Depression affects 10% of the population and can cause individuals to forget what it feels like to be happy. It can lead to apathy and a loss of hope, making it difficult to overcome. While the prevalence and causes of depression in developing countries may differ from those in developed nations, the experience of depression is universal and should be addressed in all countries.
If you are battling with depression, visit Mindshift Psychological Services. Check out our website to learn more about our mental health professionals and services. You may also contact us at (714) 584-9700 to schedule an appointment.
