Depression is an illness associated with significant chronicity and disability, having a profound impact on the quality of life. Depression is currently the leading cause of disability in developed countries, and the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide.
Projections estimate that depression will rise to be the second leading cause disability worldwide by the year 2020. Depression has been shown to dramatically increase the degree of social disability, regardless of the quality of one’s physical health. In fact, the impact of depression on well-being is comparable to or greater than many chronic medical conditions.
Currently, the annual cost of depression to society in the US alone has been estimated at 70 to 80 billion dollars.
In addition to disability, depression has also been characterized by an increased risk of suicide, particularly in children and adolescents. In the last 50 years, the suicide rate for 15-19 year olds has tripled while the suicide rate for 10-14 year olds has doubled. Currently, suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death in adolescents.
In view of the debilitating impact of depression on the quality of life and the expected increase in disability worldwide, research is urgently needed to study new treatments aimed at improving the standard of care for depression. The DCRP is committed to the conduct of state of the art research in Depression. If you would like to personally contribute to this effort, please contact:
Maurizio Fava, M.D.
Director, Depression Clinical and Research Program
Massachusetts General Hospital
WACC #812
Boston, MA
02114
