Facts and Statistics
Press Releases and Comments
Press Releases and Statistics

Depression: Facts and Statistics from Depression Alliance

The Prevalence of Depression
One in five people will be affected by depression at some point in their life.1 Approximately one in one hundred people will experience manic depression at some point in their life.2

More than 2.9 million people in the UK are diagnosed as having depression at any one time3. As many as three in four cases of depression are neither recognised nor treated4

The Economic Cost of Depression
The World Health Organisation estimates that by the year 2020, major depression will be second only by chronic heart disease as an international health burden (this is measured by its cause of death, disability, incapacity to work and the medical resources it uses). 5

There are 30 working days lost due to depression and anxiety for every single day lost to industrial disputes. 6

Depression & Suicide
About 1 in 6 people who experience severe depression eventually commit suicide. 7 70% of recorded suicides are by people who have experienced some form of depression8

9 20% of all deaths by young people are by suicide.10 Suicide rates amongst young Asian women born in the Indian sub-continent are 21% higher than in the general population11

75% of all suicides in the UK are by men.12 Older men have the highest suicide rates in the UK, whilst young men have the fastest rising suicide rates in the UK (an increase of 85% between 1980-199013). it has been suggested that that high rate of suicide among 15-24 year old young men may be related to an increased fear of unemployment, alcohol/drug misuse, and parental marital breakdown.14

Attempted suicide has increased by 50% since 199015 More than 2 young people commit suicide every day in the UK and Ireland.

Celebrities who have experienced depression
Depression affects people from all walks of life. Famous people who have suffered from depression include artists (Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe, Tracey Emin); actors (Sarah Lancashire, Patsy Kensit), writers (Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, JK Rowling); philosophers (Nietzsche, Marx) musicians (Melanie Chisolm), sportspeople (Stan Collymore) and comedians (Ruby Wax, Caroline Aherne, Stephen Fry).

Frequency of Depression by Age and Gender
It is thought that depression occurs as often in men as in women, even though women are diagnosed and treated twice as often as men.16 Men are less likely to seek medical attention and doctors are less likely to diagnose them with depression. 17

Depression can strike at any age, but it is most common among people between 25 - 44 years old. 18 Research has shown that the rate of depression rises in old age;19 an estimated 15% of people over 65 years have depression.20 There is a correlation between depression in older people and living alone21 It is estimated that between 10 - 20% of children will require support and help for depression at some time22 Incidences of depression in teens and young adults has been increasing in recent years. 23

GPs are less likely to recognise depression in men, married people, people with physical disabilities or visual impairments and less well educated people.24

The Stigma and Misinformation Attached to Depression
In a recent survey, 19% of the public still mistakenly believed that sufferers could 'pull themselves together'. 23% believed that they would not eventually recover and 23% that they are dangerous to others.

More than half (57%) of people with depression do not tell their employers or colleagues about their depression, mostly because they were frightened of being labelled as over-emotional, weak, or unstable.25

Treating Depression
More than 80% of people suffering from depression can be helped with the appropriate medication or psychological treatment.

Certain psychological therapies are as effective as antidepressants in treating mild and moderate depression. 26 There is also some evidence that they may help to prevent relapse and recurrence of depression. 27 Unfortunately, the availability of psychological treatments to NHS patients is limited.

Antidepressants are thought to be between 60% - 70% effective in the treatment of depression28 In 1995, 13.2 million prescriptions were written for antidepressants.29 10,000 people a year are prescribed ECT in the UK.30

Depression is one of the commonest conditions seen by family doctors. 31The average family doctor sees one clinically depressed patient during each surgery session. 32

[top]

Press Releases and Comments
You can read Depression Alliance press releases and comments by clicking on the links below.

National Depression Week 2005 (18th - 24th April): Pulling Together
18th April 2005

National Depression Week 2003 exposes "Youth at Risk"
3rd April 2003

Mental Health Charity hits out at prison suicide policy
12 December 2002

Mental Health Charity hits out at prison suicide policy
12 December 2002

Government to Press Ahead with Controversial Legislation.
26 November 2002

Leading UK charity for depression objects to ‘immoral and unworkable' Draft Mental Health Bill.
2 September 2002

Depression and Genes
Depression and Suicide
Depression and the Government
Cinderella's still not going to the ball
Response to the Government's mental health proposals
Depression and Work
Depression and Young People
Antidepressants
St John's Wort


Statistics and Press Releases

The Draft Mental Health Bill 2002
[Word Doc]

[top]