About 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, and the new crown epidemic has caused a surge in depression patients worldwide

　　A psychological "epidemic" that cannot be ignored

　　Liang Fan

　　Every October 10th is World Mental Health Day, which aims to raise people's awareness of mental health issues and mobilize all parties to support mental health.

　　This year's slogan is "Making access to mental health care a reality."

The focus of attention is patients with depression, the most common mental disorder in the world.

　　one

　　According to data released by the World Health Organization a few days ago, about 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness, and one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.

However, mental health is one of the most neglected areas in public health.

　　Among the many mental illnesses, depression is a common global disease. It is estimated that 3.8% of the world's population, or about 280 million people, suffer from depression of varying degrees.

The World Health Organization predicts that depression will rank first in the global burden of disease by 2030.

　　Depression is different from the usual mood swings and short-term emotional responses to challenges in daily life.

It is related to emotions, but it is not a purely emotional problem, but a disease involving the brain and body.

　　Although the medical community is still inconclusive on the cause of depression, existing studies have found that there are significant differences between the brains of depression patients and healthy people: Compared with ordinary people, the brain areas of depression patients are responsible for fear-related brain areas. ——The amygdala becomes larger and more active; the hippocampus of the brain area related to memory and cognition becomes significantly smaller.

　　In addition, the secretion of dopamine and serotonin in patients with depression will change.

These factors can make depressed patients lose the ability to feel happy.

　　Depression significantly affects the social function and quality of life of patients.

Many patients will have symptoms such as low self-evaluation, sleep disturbance, decreased concentration, etc., and it is difficult to maintain normal work, study and life, and bear the double burden of health and economy.

At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.

　　It is reported that depression has become the world's number one culprit for disability, and about 80% of mental illness patients in the world come from low- and middle-income countries.

　　two

　　A study published in the medical journal The Lancet by the University of Queensland in Australia on the 8th showed that the new crown epidemic has caused a surge in major depression and anxiety around the world.

This study assessed the global impact of the new crown epidemic on major depression and anxiety for the first time.

　　Studies have shown that global cases of major depression and anxiety have increased by 28% and 26% respectively in 2020, and the prevalence rates have risen the most in countries hardest hit by the epidemic.

Among the newly-increased patients with major depression, more than 35 million are women and nearly 18 million are men.

　　The study believes that in the context of the global pandemic of the new crown epidemic, people have greater emotional fluctuations and are more likely to be in negative mental states such as anxiety, fear, and excessive worry, which will trigger depression.

Among them, the increasing number of new crown cases and restricted freedom of movement are "significantly related" to the deterioration of global mental health.

　　The European Regional Office of the World Health Organization stated in July that the new crown epidemic has had a "long-term and far-reaching" impact on people's mental health, and called on all countries to pay attention and take countermeasures.

　　According to the WHO, during the new crown epidemic, not only factors such as the epidemic and blockade will affect people's mental health, but also the pressure caused by social and economic inequality, school closures, and work suspensions.

　　A survey conducted by the European Union showed that among nearly 60,000 respondents in 40 countries or regions, 30% reported that they had severe depression symptoms during the epidemic.

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Shinas said that the new crown epidemic has exacerbated the already existing huge mental health challenges, which are becoming more complex and diverse.

　　three

　　According to a study recently released by the University of Queensland in Australia, young people are more likely to be affected by major depression and anxiety compared with the elderly.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in the incidence of major depression and anxiety peaked among people aged 20 to 24, and declined with age.

　　The person in charge of the study said that school closures and other restrictions have restricted the normal learning and social activities of young people, coupled with the increased risk of youth unemployment, making young people suffer from severe depression and severe depression during the pandemic. The effects of anxiety disorders are more serious.

　　Depression is one of the main causes of illness and disability among young people in the world.

In September 2020, a WHO data showed that globally, depression is the fourth leading cause of illness and disability in 15-19 year olds, and the fifteenth cause of illness and disability in 10-14 year olds. .

　　According to the WHO, emotional disorders may severely affect studies and life, and avoiding social interactions may exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

"Worse, depression can lead to suicide."

　　According to surveys and statistics, about 20% of children and adolescents worldwide have experienced depressive symptoms.

A survey in the United States found that only 30% of minors with depressive symptoms are receiving treatment.

　　The World Health Organization emphasizes that the causes of depression in adolescents are closely related to the overburden of schoolwork and the lack of exercise.

In addition, over-reliance on mobile phones, computers and other equipment, daily exposure to a large amount of overly complex information, also has a great impact on the psychology of young people.

　　The aggravation of adolescent depression has attracted the attention of countries and international organizations around the world.

The theme of China's World Mental Health Day this year is "Youth Mind, Youthful Youth".