Special Report: The United States of Depression
America faces no greater mental health crisis. Solutions exist. Learn how we got here and what needs to be done.
Depression is the №1 mental health challenge in the United States, tearing people apart in every corner of the country and every demographic group. It is also widely misunderstood, often stigmatized, and frequently not diagnosed or treated properly. Wise & Well writers — physicians, research scientists, journalists, psychiatrists and other mental health experts — reveal the scope of the problem, the many causes, and the wide range of helpful remedies for what experts deem one of the most treatable mental disorders. On the Special Report page, you can see full list of 18 articles (some published, some yet to come).
The first article offers an overview of the crisis:
Confronting America’s Fixable Depression Crisis (Sept. 5)
Millions of Americans struggle silently with the depression, damaging their overall health and shaving years off their expected lifespans. Some may be afraid or unwilling to face ridicule given lingering stigma associated with the disease, others simply can’t find or afford care or don’t know where to turn. Wait times for mental health services have ballooned to six weeks on average, and months in some parts of the country. Insurance plans often don’t cover the visits or are otherwise highly restrictive.
In the end, only about half of people who need treatment for depression actually receive it, I’ve reported previously.
“Depression is the leading mental health challenge in the US,” said professor Eileen Anderson, EdD, director of education, bioethics and medical humanities at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine. “Depression is now the №1 global burden of health, eclipsing problems like heart disease and HIV,” Anderson added. “Almost everyone knows someone they love who has struggled mightily with depression.”
The problem is particularly acute in America, as a Gallup poll earlier this year revealed:
Read the full story by Robert Roy Britt
Other articles published so far in the Special Report:
Are You Depressed, or Just Sad? (Sept. 5)
The medical definition of depression may be imperfect, but it helps people understand what they are suffering from and predict what is likely to happen without treatment, and it offers useful guidance for effective remedies. Confusion creeps in, however, when people use the term depression to describe normal, everyday sadness.
—By John Kruse, MD
The Kids Are Not OK (Sept. 6)
Depression rates among adolescents keep rising, especially in girls. New approaches are needed to combat the crisis, and schools can help identify the problem and provide resources.
— By Dr. Julian Barkan
Depression in Older Adults: Facing Unique Challenges (Sept. 7)
Retirement, grief and loss, health concerns, and cognitive decline can contribute to depression among older adults. Experts in geriatric psychology share how to tell if you or someone you love is struggling with serious depression…or just getting older.
— By Kathleen Murphy
New articles will publish each weekday. You can see the entire Special Report here. What’s ahead:
For Transgender People, Depression and Suicide Risk are Real
Is It Depression or the Menopause?
Hooked: How Common Obsessions Lead to Depression
The Gut Truth About the Microbiome's Role in Depression
How Diet Alters Brain Chemistry to Cause (or Battle) Depression
How Alcohol and Depression Feed Off Each Other
Poor Sleep Can Fuel Depression, and Vice-Versa
How to Talk with Someone Who's Depressed
Solving Depression Must Be a Team Effort
Ketamine and Psilocybin Give Hope For Those Running Out of It
When, Where and How We Eat Can Raise (or Reduce) Depression Risk
Medication or Meditation: Which is Best for Depression?
Treating Depression Successfully Requires a Multi-Pronged Strategy
What Is A Life Post-Depression Meant to Look Like?
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Rob