Despite the fact that we now have some effective treatments for depression, such as medicines and psychological interventions, medical care in general remains dismal.
A review of existing research in higher-income countries indicated that just 23% of individuals with depression are receiving "minimally adequate" therapy. Only 3% of people in low and middle-income countries receive the bare minimum of treatment.
Depression is now the largest cause of disability worldwide, and it shows no signs of abating. The World Health Organization projects that by 2030, the disorder will be the leading contributor to the global burden of disease.
"Treatment coverage for major depressive disorder continues to be low globally, with many individuals failing to receive a level of care consistent with practice guideline recommendations," epidemiologist Alize Ferrari from the University of Queensland, Australia, said.
"This highlights the need to reconsider the availability of appropriate care and facilitators of treatment as we respond to the large burden imposed by this disorder."
The findings are based on 149 studies conducted in 84 nations between 2000 and 2021, and while there are some gaps in data from regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, the findings portray a bleak picture overall.
According to earlier research, depression treatment disparities can range from 45% in Europe to 67% in Africa and 70% in the Eastern Mediterranean. The quality of these treatments might also vary significantly depending on where a person lives, as the current review has demonstrated.
Much like previous research has shown, people all around the world appear to be more likely to seek treatment for depression if they are female and as they get older. Younger and male patients, on the other hand, are less likely to seek treatment for emotional or mood difficulties.
While some countries' mental health services have substantially improved, and the stigma associated with this disease is rapidly fading, the majority of the countries represented in the review still lack fundamental mental health policy, legislation, and tools to guide both patients and clinicians.
In 2019, global financing for 'noncommunicable' diseases such as depression and other mental health disorders accounted for less than 2% of all health-related development aid.
Global cases of depression were expected to rise even before the pandemic struck in 2020, and a surge now appears more likely than ever. When the pandemic first struck, depression rates in the U.S. tripled, and they haven't gone down since.
Researchers cautioned in a paper published in 2021 that we are woefully equipped for the future.
"This pandemic has created an increased urgency to strengthen mental health systems in most countries," the paper reads.
The study was published in PLOS Medicine.
