Preventing and reducing the burden of depression

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Preventing and reducing the burden of depression

"Reducing the overrepresentation of women who are depressed would contribute significantly to lessening the global burden of disability caused by psychological disorders"[4]

What factors can protect against the development of depression?

3 highly protective factors, according to WHO[4]:

having sufficient autonomy to exercise some control in response to severe events.
access to some material resources that allow the possibility of making choices in the face of severe events.
psychological support from family, friends, or health providers is powerfully protective.

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4. World Health Organization, Department of mental health and substance abuse. Woman's mental health, an evidence based review. Mental health determinants of populations. 2000. http://www.who.int/entity/mental_health/media/en/67.pdf

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1.	How can we all work towards reducing the development of mental disorders such as depression, particularly in overrepresented groups such as women?
		Decrease women's exposure to abuse
		Decrease violence, neglect, and other forms of abuse against children
		Ensure access to mental health services for all people
		Work towards a more equitable distribution of wealth within society
		All of the above…and probably more.

2.	What else can you think of?