The leading cause of disability

Depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Depression seriously reduces the quality of life for individuals and their families. Depression is a risk factor for suicide, and often aggravates other health problems.

Unfortunately, depression is even more damaging in developing countries. It’s exacerbated by the vicious cycle of poverty and disability, and there are fewer resources for diagnosis and treatment.

Depression affects nearly twice as many women as men.

Women's duel roles as both caregiver and family breadwinner, plus stressful life events such as death of a husband, lack of male children and  domestic violence, have been linked with depression in women.

The stigma of mental illness is perhaps the biggest challenge to confronting depression in developing countries.

This means there is a lack of awareness that depression is an illness, and is often left untreated.

Friends for life

Ying Hong and Bai Dan share a special bond.

Both young women have suffered the isolation and stigma of depression. The friends met at the CBM supported Sunshine Group and together they share their experiences.

After a recent car accident Ying Hong became very frightened of the world. "I would not dare go to the shops. People would look at me I would start to cry."

For Bai Dan these symptoms are all too familiar. "I used to sleep a lot and did very little housework, I didn't even have the strength to help my mum with cooking," she tells us.

The Sunshine Group is a self-help group for intellectually and mentally challenged young adults. It is the first of its kind.

The students learn many new skills, to be socially active, to be empowered and encouraged in leadership. And these two young women sure are gifted leaders.

Bai Dan and Ying Hong led this team in a special performance of song about their transformed lives. Ying Hong's mother tells us that the night before the performance, she called everyone to make sure they were ready.

"She is now so bright and active. She's able to write out the words for the program and organises the other students. Most importantly she is learning to be responsible for her tasks and she takes her role very seriously."

Ying Hong has tears in her eyes as she stands and says, "I'm not afraid anymore.

"After coming to the Sunshine Group I have so many friends that I can share my life with. I'm encouraged to express myself and now I can stand here and speak in front of you all. This is a great achievement for me."

• In many languages in developing countries, there is no word to describe depression or anxiety.
• Up to 20 percent of those seeking health care in developing countries suffer from anxiety and depression.
• Depression is the most important risk factor for suicide, which claims around 850 million lives annually.
• Suicide is a leading cause of death in young women in India and China.
• Depression affects nearly twice and many women as men.
• Up to 10 percent of women in developing countries suffer from depression, higher rates have been reported from rural Pakistan.