“an emotional state or mood characterized by one or more of these
symptoms: sad mood, low energy, poor concentration, sleep or appetite
changes, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, and thoughts of
suicide” (Strickland 2001, 175).
- “the most common mental illness, with a lifetime prevalence rate of
16.6% for the general population and 10.6% for those aged 60 and
above” (Ayres 2008, 269).