
Most strikingly, the report demonstrates that over 300 million people worldwide or 4.4% of the global population are affected by depression; an increase of 18% in the last decade. In addition, the WHO has now ranked depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide (leading to 50 million Years Lived With Disability), due to the considerable losses on health and functioning it causes.
Anxiety disorders was also found to affect over 250 million people worldwide or 3.6% of the global population; an increase of 14.9% in the last decade. Anxiety disorders are ranked 6th in terms of contributing to global disability.
"When long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition leading, at its worst, to suicide. According to the report, some 800,000 people kill themselves every year, a significant number of them young adults between the ages of 15 and 29."
For the full report, click here:
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/254610/1/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf?ua=1
For a shorter synopsis of the report, visit:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56230#.WL3-zTveLVo