Being invited by USR Sector 3 și USR Sector 4, we participated on October 10th to the discussion “Mental health: a national problem. Depression and anxiety“. A theme not often addressed in the current public discourse.

Speakers:

Simona Voicescu – President Asociația Necuvinte

Bogdan Ion – President Filiala București a Colegiului Psihologilor din România

Depression and anxiety are the most widespread mental disorders worldwide. According to the estimates of the World Health Organization, at least 350 million people of all ages are affected by depression and anxiety in varying degrees. In 2004, depression was the third biggest cause of disability globally, and predictions are worrying: in 2020 will be the main cause. In Romania, in 2015, 2 million people were diagnosed with depression.

Depression and anxiety affects work, personal and professional relationships. In extreme situations, they are the main causes of suicide attempts. Specialty studies show that the main age category affected are those aged between 14-25 years and the elderly.
It is time to talk about mental health. Romania after the 1989 revolution remained with trauma related to this subject. Asking for the services of a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist is considered an act of weakness. The lack of adequate education makes it possible for those suffering from different forms of depression, as well as those in their family or friends, to find other ways to solve the condition of the affected person: from self-medication to alternative therapies.
It is very important to talk openly about mental health.