Depression is a common mental health disorder, especially in some groups, such as adolescents and middle-aged women. Older people are also vulnerable due to their deteriorating health and quality of life. Depression is a comorbid disorder that leads to serious health issues resulting in significant financial losses for individuals and the community. At the same time, this disorder is often under-reported and untreated, which may be associated with several reasons. First, many people do not pay sufficient attention to mental health and do not seek professional help. They do not understand that something they are experiencing can be treated and that the quality of their life can be improved.
Many people believe that the depressive symptoms they have are just a bad mood or some discomfort that will pass. Hence, the lack of awareness about the disorder and its potential harm is one of the reasons for the current situation. Another cause of the problem is associated with a public opinion regarding mental health. Although an increasing amount of attention is paid to the issue, and many professionals and celebrities are involved, people still feel reluctant to discuss their mental health concerns.
Health insurance coverage is also a considerable obstacle to the effective treatment of depression. The vast majority of health insurance plans offer depression screening and the provision of a treatment plan if needed. However, treatment is not included, and patients tend to ignore this health problem. Moreover, even healthcare practitioners fail to conduct valid tests that can detect the symptoms, as well as the severity of the disorder. Some people try to address the problem on their own, which may lead to the purchase of over-the-counter drugs and their misuse. Clearly, depression is a serious health issue that should be properly reported and treated.