Depression will be the biggest cause of disability

Colombia has lived through 50 years of war, economic problems, social violence and despite this, mental health is good "if you consider that good mental health is in love and professional," says psychiatrist Jose Posada. The biggest problem on this front is major depressive disorder which, according to the expert, will be the leading cause of disability in the world. In fact, 60% of the increase in mental health problems in the world will be observed in anxiety disorders and depression. "This increase is related to the agitation that takes the lives of human beings and affects the tranquility of the people.This is no longer the acute stress but the poorly managed stress that becomes chronic and that also generates disorders physical as hypertension, "he explains

.The media and, recently, social networks have also influenced it.While you should not demonize them, believe that the & # 39; The use that is being given has contributed to mental health in many ways. "Sowing mistrust, diminishing self-esteem, generating intimidation and fears."

Although these topics are nowadays The biggest obstacle is self-stigma, that is to say the one that the patient and his / her family with mental illness feel, and that is the most important obstacle to self-stigma. Because it limits the possibilities of diagnosis and treatment. In fact, these patients suffer alone and their mental images become chronic disorders. "There is also a lot of observation that in companies, employers lay off or do not give work to people who have a history of mental disorders," says the expert.

This fear is unfounded. Mental patients are not violent and only four percent of them can commit acts of aggression. "In 70 or 80 percent of cases, such as depression, a person may have adequate treatment and be relieved."

In general terms, mental problems are due to a genetic predisposition of 28 percent, but for If the disease appears, external stress is necessary, such as loss of labor, rape, death of one to be expensive. The promotion of mental health, curiously enough, is more of a political decision than that of a physician. This is because the main protective factors are employment, clothing, housing, access to education, peace, do not be afraid to go out, have a good metro or Transmilenio, among other things. "The best people promoting mental health are parents and school teachers," says Posada. For this reason, they are most interested in learning about these issues to achieve the well-being of society.