BY: LEANNE K

What is depression? Depression is a mental state of low mood and aversion to activity. It affects about 3.5 percent of the global population, or about 280 million people of all ages, and it affects thoughts, behaviour, feelings and well being.

While this is the essence or basic definition of depression, there are different kinds of depression but what mental health experts have finally confirmed is that depression is curable and a sufferer can say goodbye to it.

With a wide range of effective drugs and medicines, various therapies, counselling and other kinds of management and treatment of depression there is reportedly a good chance of full recovery especially if detected early.

This is why there are ongoing awareness campaigns being conducted by the Ministry of Health, The Malaysian Mental Health Association and the Malaysian Psychiatric Association on how to handle those suffering from depression.

The most important thing is for people to recognise the signs and symptoms of depression and to persuade or take someone suffering from depression to be treated and to eventually recover and get back into society.

While a sufferer of depression will need support and encouragement or even long term residential care, the chances of gaining a victory over depression is now possible and no one needs to suffer alone and in silence.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher