The recent study of the Global Burden of Disease, IHME, showed that Greece is in second place among countries worldwide, with the highest rates depressionwhich deeply troubled the governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalia.
The trend in Greece is not only high but also increasing. In order to combat this phenomenon, Nikos Hardalias launched at noon on Monday (09.12.2024) a pioneering campaign to combat depression, entitled “My Soul”.
The experts who attended the event of the Region of Attica, on the occasion of the “My Soul” initiative, which includes a series of actions for the mental health of citizens, emphasized that depression is a serious multifactorial mental disorder that affects 5.7% of the population in Greece and is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
“We break the taboos, we speak openly, we drive away depression, we look at life again with hope”, was the message conveyed by the Attica Regional Mayor, Nikos Hardalias, in his speech to the audience, emphasizing at the same time the treatment and awareness of the phenomenon of depression, according to Iatropedia.gr.
The program is implemented with the assistance of the “Regional Observatory of Social Inclusion of the Attica Region – Social Network Attica” and the EKT+ resources of the “ATTICA” Program 2021 – 2027.
Mr. Hardalias, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the phenomenon of depression, which according to the World Health Organization is the most common mental disorder worldwide.
“We are not going to remain observers and tailgaters in any problem, we will be protagonists and helpers in everything; especially when it comes to issues related to mental health. We are coming out of the lonely world of depression. We talk. We are asking for help. We banish sadness, fear, disappointment. We leave behind the dark period of depression and look at life again with hope. We send the message to our fellow citizens who are trapped in the walls raised around them by depression that you are not alone. Depression can be treated – always with the right support and care”, specifically emphasized the Regional Governor.
Depression: More than 7 in 10 with depression do not get help
According to the Deputy Governor of Health Dr. Death of Ascetic, depression destroys man and leads him to long-term dementia.
The women are affected more, by percentage 6%while suicide remains the fourth leading cause of death in the ages 15-29 years old. However, despite the existence of effective treatments, over 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries do not receive aid, he said.
Nikos Hardalias also underlined the increasing trend that depression has registered in Greece in recent years, which is due, among other things, to the economic and then health crisis experienced by the country, as he said:
“The unprecedented situations we experienced during the pandemic, in a world of uncertainty and restrictions, faced with not only a health crisis, but also a socio-economic one, shook the mental health of many of our fellow citizens. We want to be helpful and valuable helpers to those who face such difficulties” he noted.
The journalist Stamatis Malelis, author of the book – station about depression “The monster and me”, who focused on the importance of journalistic coverage of mental health issues, also gave this at the press conference, at the same time reporting his personal experience.
As he said: “For about 12 years now, having been through the tunnel of depression myself, I have made it a priority in my life to raise awareness of how one can defeat depression, this ‘monster’ as I called it. Together with fellow journalists, collaborators and specialized scientists, we have dedicated ourselves to informing and raising awareness around this problem.”
A comprehensive action plan with three axes
The initiative of the Region of Attica for mental health is a multi-level effort that aims to inform, educate and directly support citizens.
The main axes of the plan are three:
1. Public information and awareness
The Region of Attica is launching a major communication campaign to eliminate the social stigma around depression, with:
• Production of 6 short targeted informational videos showing the ways in which depression manifests itself according to age and gender, and the factors that can lead a person to it.
The videos focus on critical topics such as:
- Female depression
- Depression in men
- Depression in teenagers.
- The role of bullying and violent behaviors in schools.
- The effects of social media, especially on children and teenagers.
- Featuring stories of people who have experienced depression, sharing their experience and sending a message of hope and encouragement.
- Publicity campaign in traditional and digital media, aiming to encourage citizens to talk about their feelings, seek help and recognize that depression is a problem that can be dealt with.
2. Training of executives of social structures
This is a specialized program of three months duration, theoretical and practical training, will be implemented for the executives of the social structures of the Region and the Municipalities, as well as other co-financed structures, such as:
- Community centers
- Homeless structures
- Battered women’s hostels
- Child protection units and supported living shelters
The program will be conducted remotely, through a dedicated platform, and will cover a wide range of thematic modules, with the aim of strengthening the ability of executives to provide support to people experiencing depression.
3. Organization of information days in seven Municipalities
The action includes the organization of information days in collaboration with the Municipalities of Athens, Megara, Lavrio, Peristeri, Agia Paraskevi, Glyfada and Piraeus.
The Municipalities were selected based on criteria such as the average population concentration, unemployment rates, the number of beneficiaries of minimum guaranteed income and the number of beneficiaries of mental support structures. In the days that follow, experts will talk about depression and ways to manage it, while people who have experienced it will share their personal stories, fostering open discussion and understanding around the disorder.
“We break the taboos, we fight the stigma”
With this initiative, the Regional Governor of Attica, Mr. Hardalias, “we try to provide answers and solutions. We focus on prevention, support and empowerment. Our aim is to break down stereotypes, tackle social stigma and give our fellow citizens the tools they need to deal with depression and look back on life with optimism.”
For his part, the Deputy Governor of Health, Dr. Thanos Askitis, added:
“Therefore, the Region of Attica joins forces to raise awareness and prevent mental health with a series of speeches and actions for early intervention. Mental health belongs to all of us and we must ensure access to care for all, regardless of social or economic status. We are dedicated to supporting the chronically mentally ill and fighting the stigma surrounding mental disorders.”
Finally, Stamatis Malelis stated that he was particularly satisfied that the Region of Attica and Nikos Hardalias undertook this excellent initiative, as he said: “An initiative that breaks taboos and paves the way for the decriminalization of stigma. It shows the way to other agencies as well, as to what they should do. It is vital that we overcome it stigma and seek the help we need.”
Also present at the event was the professor emeritus of Psychiatry of the Greek Academy of Sciences and representative of the European Parliament on the Board of the European Observatory on Drugs and Addiction, Meni Mallioris.
The event was coordinated by journalist Niki Lymberakis.
Source: Iatropedia.gr
Photo Source: Eurokinissi