Society today is full of life stressors and people are looking for ways to manage them. While some manage stress in a healthy way, statistically there has been an uptick in those that choose to handle it in ways that can lead to depression and even substance abuse.
Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through adverse life events (unemployment, bereavement, traumatic events) are more likely to develop depression. Depression can, in turn, lead to more stress and dysfunction such as relying on a substance to cope, which can and worsen the affected person’s life. Not managing depression can lead to other health issues including suicide. Depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 3.8% of the population affected, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years (1). Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression according to the Worldwide Health Organization, (WHO).
It is imperative that people who suffer from depression should seek help. Please follow the link below to a sponsor with educational resources about depression and substance abuse and who can help guide you to a healthier life.