Every year on March 24, International Depression Day is observed to raise awareness of mental health issues. Depression (derived from the Latin deprimo, meaning "to suppress" or "to press") is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, characterized by a persistent loss of interest in life, reduced self-esteem, impaired functional capacity, persistent low mood, profound sadness, and a strong sense of guilt. Medical experts classify depression as a serious condition requiring professional intervention. The ancient physician Hippocrates referred to this condition as "melancholia."

According to Yang C, Lv J, Kong X, et al. (2024), the global incidence and prevalence of depression among young adults aged 10–24 years increased between 1990 and 2019, with the highest rates observed in individuals aged 20–24 years. The incidence of depression was notably higher among those born after 1980. High-income regions, including North America and Australia, experienced a rise in both prevalence and incidence, whereas a decline was observed in low- and middle-income countries.

As of 2019, the highest prevalence and incidence of depression were reported in Greenland, the United States, and Palestine, with Qatar exhibiting the most significant increase over time. Among women, the prevalence of depression was approximately 50% higher than in men. Globally, more than 10% of pregnant and postpartum women experience depression. Each year, over 700,000 individuals die by suicide, making it the fourth leading cause of mortality among individuals aged 15–29 years.

Lifestyle modification plays a crucial role in managing patients with depression. A high level of adherence to a healthy lifestyle is correlated with a lower risk of hospitalization and mortality among adults with depression. Research has demonstrated that preventive programs effectively reduce the prevalence of depression.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), evidence-based community interventions for depression prevention include school-based programs aimed at fostering adaptive coping skills in children and adolescents. Additionally, parental interventions for children with behavioral disorders have been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms in parents while enhancing their children's psychological well-being. Furthermore, initiatives promoting physical activity among the elderly contribute to the effective prevention of depression.

Juraeva N.S. - Head of the department of public health and medical statistics with a course in the history of medicine