Depression is a significant contributor to the global
burden of disease and affects people in all communi
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ties across the world. Today, depression is estimated
to affect 350 million people. The World Mental
Health Survey conducted in 17 countries found that
on average about 1 in 20 people reported having an
episode of depression in the previous year. Depres
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sive disorders often start at a young age; they reduce
people’s functioning and often are recurring. For
these reasons, depression is the leading cause of dis
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ability worldwide in terms of total years lost due to
disability. The demand for curbing depression and
other mental health conditions is on the rise glob
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ally. A recent World Health Assembly called on the
World Health Organization and its member states to
take action in this direction