Depression is a common mental health disorder of Mental Health, affecting more than 264 million people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite; tiredness and poor concentration are common. Depression is a leading cause of disability around the world and contributes greatly to the global burden of disease impacting Mental Health in large. The effects of depression can be long-lasting or recurrent and can dramatically affect a person’s ability to function and live a rewarding life.
The causes of depression include complex interactions between social, psychological and biological factors. Life events such as childhood adversity, loss and unemployment contribute to and may catalyses the development of depression.
Psychological and pharmacological treatments exist to maintain Mental Health and specifically for moderate and severe depression. However, in low- and middle-income countries, treatment and support services for depression are often absent or underdeveloped. An estimated 76–85% of people suffering from mental disorders in these countries lack access to the treatment they need.

Worldwide 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders and impacting Mental Health badly. Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s. Neuropsychiatric conditions are the leading cause of disability in young people in all regions. If untreated, these conditions severely influence children’s development, their educational attainments and their potential to live fulfilling and productive lives. Children with mental disorders face major challenges with stigma, isolation and discrimination, as well as lack of access to health care and education facilities, in violation of their fundamental human rights.

Being in a stable relationship is linked to both physical and mental health benefits, including lower morbidity and mortality. However, while being in a relationship can have positive benefits for health, it is important to recognize that unhappy relationships are more destructive than being single. Research has found that poor-quality or unhappy relationships have a higher negative influence on physical and mental health than not being in a relationship.
Evidence suggests that men and women treat friendships differently, with women being more likely to have broader, more intimate relationships than men. As a result, men are less likely to discuss personal matters with their friends than women, so may be less socially and emotionally supported during times of stress and crises.
Having a friend who is happy and lives close by can increase happiness by as much as 25%. Similar results have been found for cohabitant spouses (8%), siblings (14%) and next-door neighbors (34%).

Suicides are preventable. There are a number of measures that can be taken at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. These include:

• Reducing access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications);
  reporting by media in a responsible way;
• School-based interventions;
• Introducing alcohol policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol;
• Early identification, treatment and care of people with mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and acute emotional distress;
• Training of non-specialized health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behaviour;
• Follow-up care for people who attempted suicide and provision of community support.

Suicide is a complex issue and therefore suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labour, agriculture, business, justice, law, defense, politics, and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as complex as suicide.