Health-Ministry describes depression as 'state of low mood', receives flak
What's the story
A post describing depression as "a state of low mood" on the official Twitter handle of Health Ministry was slammed by the Twitterati for "trivializing" the issue as some users termed the definition as "highly inaccurate". In a poster, the Ministry listed out activities such as following a routine, eating fruits, staying clean, going for walks, practicing yoga, taking multi-vitamins, traveling, and thinking positive.
Twitter Post
Take a look at Health Ministry's tweet on depression
#Depression is a state of low mood that affects a person's thought, behaviour, feeling sense of well-being. One must take up activities that keep him or her boosted in order to cope with depression. #SwasthaBharat #MentalHealth #LetsTalk pic.twitter.com/UJR3X7GwL2
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) June 26, 2018
Strong criticism
Twitter users slam Health Ministry's tweet
The Ministry's tweet invited a lot of flak from the followers with a psychiatrist tweeting, "This tweet trivializes depression and makes it feel like it isn't an illness... (sic)." A user named Aishwarya said, "This is a highly inaccurate description of depression. #LetsTalk (sic)." The users slammed the tweet for failing to mention that one should seek therapy or clinical help for treating depression.
Twitter Post
One user asks why seeking help in depression isn't mentioned
People with depression cant think positive. That's the definition of depression.
— Dhanvantari MindCare (@DMindcare) June 26, 2018
Telling them to do so, is like telling a person with cataract to open his eyes and see clearly.
Seeking help in depression, which is life saving, is not a part of this, why?
Twitter Post
Here's another tweet criticizing Health Ministry's post
Depression is a real illness,treatable and may sometimes lead to suicide if not treated. It's not a character flaw or something you can just ask the patient to snap out of or make her or him guilty of suffering from. https://t.co/fHySQXTbEW
— Sudhir kothari (@sudhir_kothari) June 26, 2018
Definition
What is depression as per WHO?
The World Health Organization defines depression as a common mental disorder, characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks. It says that depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression.
Treatable problem
Depression is treatable with therapies, antidepressant medication
Depression is treatable with talking therapies or antidepressant medication or a combination of these. National Mental Health Survey 2015-16 reveals that nearly 15% of Indian adults need active intervention for one or more mental health issues and one in 20 Indians suffers from depression. It is estimated that in 2012, India had over 258,000 suicides, with the age-group of 15-49 years being most affected.