Depression Leads to Suicide

Depression Leads to Suicide

Depression:

It’s natural to feel down sometimes, but if that low mood lingers day after day, it could signal depression. Major depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that lasts at least two consecutive weeks and is severe enough to interrupt daily activities. Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration (WHO). It can affect a person's ability to work, form relationships, and destroy their quality of life. These problems can become chronic or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to cope with daily life. At it’s most severe, depression can lead to suicide. Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated.

Prevalence of Depression:

World Wide:

Depression affects about 121 million people worldwide. Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Nearly 5-10% of persons in a community at a given time are in need of help for depression. As much as 8-20% of persons carry the risk of developing depression during their lifetime.
The average age of the onset of major depression is between 20 and 40 years. Women have higher rates of depression than men. Race or ethnicity does not influence the prevalence of depression. Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.

India

In India there are very few population based data on prevalence of depression. In India, the point prevalence of Depression and mental health disorder is about 10 to 20 per 1000 of the population.
Indians are among the world’s most depressed- According to a 2011 World Health Organization sponsored study, around 9% of people in India reported having an extended period of depression within their lifetime, nearly 36% suffered from what is called Major Depressive Episode (MDE). It is the second contributor to shorter lifespan for individuals in the 15-44 age group.
In South India a study in Chennai revealed the prevalence of depression was 15.1% .
Severe Depression can lead to Suicide.

Makro Foundation a Non Profit organization a CSR initiative of Makro Group has initiated the Suicide prevention helpdesk on December 2009 to help people coupe with Suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Experiences of Helpline…

Mr. Srinivas, (names changed) Retd. Govt Employee from Banjara Hills deprived of the care and love from his own son, Shabana, degree student from old city, suffered dejection after marriage alliance broken could not move in society, or Mr. Charan suffering from low self-esteem and depression thought the solution of their problems as suicide.

Mr. Sreekanth (names changed), 30 years old, who was studying BSc and was suffering from Depression. He was a Homosexual and had Gender Related Issue. He had been abused in his hostel by seniors, also had developed contacts with people of same gender. He could not share about this to anyone and was suffering. He wanted to come out from the situation, but did not know where to get help. Once when he was traveling from Hyderabad to Tandur he got a pamphlet of Helpdesk and he called us. He was all the more disturbed as at home they were looking out for a match and he wanted to come out of it. He was unable to concentrate on his daily activities. After receiving his call we counseled him and he expressed his willingness to take counseling from our Drop in Center. He was very depressed and wanted to kill himself, as he was also feeling guilty.

After several sessions of Direct Psychological Counseling, and Therapy he is feeling better now. He has been following suggestions and has been able to go regularly for work for last 2 months, improvement in doing daily activities has been observed and he is feeling better and happier. He thanked us for the Intervention. Recd at 040-46004600 April 2011.

Mr. Prabhakar (name changed), 22 years old, studied B.Tech IT, he came from Nalgonda District. He was suffering from fear, tension, and low self-esteem, negative thoughts, shivering of hands and unable to mingle with anyone. He called our helpdesk and on Intervention it was found that he was suffering from Mild Anxiety Disorder.

We provided emotional support, Direct Counseling and Therapy along with Other Intervention. He is better now and he is able to socialize better the fear of mingling is reduced and he is doing fairly well at his job and marked improvement in relationship with colleague was seen. He was very grateful to us for the Intervention as it was done free of cost and he came from very poor background and could not afford the costly treatment.

After Makro Foundation’s experience with Suicide Prevention Helpline it was observed that 50% of the callers suffered from Depression as Hence Makro Foundation has decided to lauch Depression Helpline 04046004600 and website through a press conference at the Press Club of Hyderabad on 1st February 2012. For the first time a Comprehensive Intervention strategy with Intervention through Phone, email, chat is set up in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The Helpline would address the issues of people with Depression, and website provides opportunity to Provide complete information on Depression, Signs, Symptoms, Treatment and how to take care of people affected with Depression, and respond to people through chat.

Advantage:

Emotional Counselling to individuals suffering from Depression, loneliness, helplessness, hopelessness, worthless, guilty, having suicidal thoughts, worried about some one who is suicidal, stressed due to family/ personal and marital problems, can dial this Depression Helpline number 040-4600 4600 between 10-00 a.m. to 7-00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Through phone the counselors are available for intervention Or refer to the nearest psychologist, psychiatrist, or can get direct counseling in Madhapur call center.