The author is Regional Director for South-East Asia, the World Health Organisation. Depression is a common mental health issue involving persistent sadness or loss of interest or pleasure in activities normally enjoyed. Even in low- and middle-income settings, there are ways that depression and other mental health services can be made more accessible. Health care workers can, for example, be better trained to detect depression's signs and symptoms. And a greater proportion of health funds can be allocated to this often overlooked though vitally important public health issue.

Source: Bangkok Post April 06, 2017 21:45 UTC