Mental Health Awareness Week Launches

Good Morning,

I am very pleased to be here today at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute to launch Mental Health Awareness Week 2012.

The theme for this year is Depression: A Global Epidemic. Depression is a major local and worldwide health problem impacting the well-being of individuals, families, communities and nations.

In fact, the World Health Organisation estimates that depression affects about 350 million people worldwide. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide and is responsible for nearly 1 million lives lost around the world each year. That’s almost 3,000 deaths every day; and for every suicide about 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. This impacts not just the person suffering from depression but his or her whole family network.

Evidence shows that one out of ten people suffer from major depression, and almost one out of five people will suffer from this disorder during their lifetime. In Bermuda terms, that means about 6,000 people in Bermuda suffer from major depression and about 13,000 of our fellow residents will suffer from depression in their lifetime. This makes it one of the most common illnesses communities have to deal with.

Depression is a silent disease. Most people diagnosed with it hide the fact, as if it is something to be ashamed about. It is not.

Additionally, the economic downturn that began in 2008 is increasing the number of people experiencing depression around the world. Economic challenges increase the risk factors experienced by people that can cause depression. These include unemployment, debt, financial stress and family disruption.

Depression causes loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, poor concentration and symptoms of anxiety. Unfortunately, this means depression can impact people’s ability to get employed, or deal practically with the issues they face. It’s often a double blow for someone and can make it even harder for the person to get up, out, look for work, train and manage his or her personal finances and meet family needs. Parents suffering from depression can then unintentionally impact their children’s development, passing on a burden to future generations.

There is good news, however.

Today there are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, medication and alternative treatments and Bermuda is fortunate to have a great mental health service offered by the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute that is available to everyone around the clock. I urge people who have depression, or think that they may be affected by a depressive disorder, to learn about their options. This will help you to decide what measures are most likely to work best for your particular situation and needs.

I also urge our community to learn about depression, the risk factors and warning signs.

You would stop to help someone hit by a car, or who collapsed in the street with a physical illness like a heart attack or stroke, but we seem to be at a loss as to how to help someone going through a mental illness. In fact many of us will be fearful of such a person.

If you are concerned about a family member, or just want to be more prepared, MWI is launching Mental Health First Aid courses this week. These courses prepare everyday folk like you and me about the warning signs and best actions to take if you see someone going through a mental health crisis. So call MWI to find out how you can sign up.

And if the person with depression is you, then know you are not alone and there is help available to you. And with help there is hope.

Depression is the most common mental health issue we deal with in Bermuda. If you are in crisis you can call MWI’s 24 hour Crisis Line at 236-3770, or, during the day, you can walk in to the outpatient clinic where there are trained nurses, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists here to support you and help you on the road to recovery.

We can be empowered when it comes to our mental health and supportive for those we know and love who are suffering.

Thank You.

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