Depression is a significant contributor to the global
burden of disease and affects people in all communities
across the world. Today, depression is estimated
to affect 350 million people. The World Mental
Health Survey conducted in 17 countries found that
on average about 1 in 20 people reported having an
episode of depression in the previous year. Depressive
disorders often start at a young age; they reduce
people’s functioning and often are recurring. For
these reasons, depression is the leading cause of disability
worldwide in terms of total years lost due to
disability. The demand for curbing depression and
other mental health conditions is on the rise globally.
A recent World Health Assembly called on the
World Health Organization and its member states to
take action in this direction (WHO, 2012).