Depression is root cause for many other illnesses

Doctors of BC Post, April, 2017

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared that depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. There are more than 300 million people suffering from depression.

In an effort to help support better patient and family mental health care, Doctors of BC has established an online resource for young people facing mental health issues. Recognizing that depression and other mental health issues often begin while still young, particularly as youth transition into adulthood, OpenMindBC is an online resource website that supports physicians, parents, teachers and youth dealing with these issues.

WHO also noted, depression increases the risk of several major diseases and disorders including addiction, suicidal behaviour, diabetes and heart disease, which are themselves among the world’s biggest killers.

OpenMindBC provides tips and links to a number of in-depth resources available both in BC and Canada.  “For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery,” said Shekhar Saxena, director of the WHO’s mental health department.

While reaching out and talking is a first step, it’s important to have tools and guidance to develop solutions that go beyond trusted conversations. The website’s curated information and tools are found under three distinct groups: 1) Youth and Young Adults, 2) Family and Friends, 3) Healthcare Providers for easy access.