World Mental Health Day 2021: WHO tips to avoid depression in adults

Warning: Some may feel that the following content is triggering.

Disclaimer: This story is not to be taken as medical advice.

Depression is one of the most commonly reported mental health conditions in people of all age groups. While depression in some people lasts for short times and is manageable, in some people, it lasts for longer and becomes difficult to manage. Also, some people are depressed rarely while some others experience it frequently.

Extreme cases of depression can even result in having suicidal thoughts. However, it is possible to cure depression with the right kind of techniques. Going a step further, it is even possible to prevent depression. In commemoration of the World Health Day 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) has given some effective tips to avoid depression in adults, which we explore in this article.

Depression in adults

Adulthood is an active phase in life when depression can severely impact the quality of life and impair one’s performance. In the first place a depressed adult must understand that depression is a common condition anyone can face and that it is never a sign of weakness or inability.

Some of the symptoms of depression include lingering sadness, irritability and losing interest in activities that one usually does happily. On the whole, a depressed individual might find it difficult to carry out the normal activities of life.

Other common signs noticed in depressed persons are withdrawal from other people, feeling of guilt, purposelessness and fatigue, and changes in sleep and eating patterns. Under severe depression, some people will appear highly willing to take abnormal risks or might even think of harming themselves.

WHO’s tips to tackle depression in adults

• When you feel depressed, the first thing you can do is to express how you feel to someone who you can trust. This someone can be any one from your family or your friends.
  
• Mental health professionals like social workers, psychological counsellors and doctors are well-equipped with the right kind of intervention strategies to help you fight depression in an effective way. Therefore, they are a good source to get professional assistance in this regard.
  
• Avoid withdrawing yourself from near and dear ones. Staying connected with the family can give you enough support to manage your depressive state easily.
  
• Some kind of physical work like exercise or other hobbies can help you divert your mind in a positive way. Short walks can also do you so much good in combating depression.
  
• Be regular with your eating and sleeping routines. Understand that skipping your meal or sleep can never take you anywhere forward to escape depression.
  
• Never resort to drug abuse as it is never a way to alleviate depression. Alcohol and drugs can only worsen your depression.
  
• Even if you are not motivated to do it, stick to something that you like doing and try to enjoy doing it.
  
• Focus on the positive aspects of life and look to aspects that encourage you. Never be harsh or unkind to yourself. Reflect on your abilities and the blessings you enjoy in your life.
  
• Appreciate yourself for your achievements in your past and present life irrespective of how small they are.
  

Take home

Like physical health conditions, negative mental states like depression also need the right kind of approach, techniques and remedial measures often combined with professional help from mental health experts. By working from different directions, depression can be easily cured and prevented in adults.

SEE ALSO:
World Mental Health Day 2021: How to avoid depression in kids and teens