New Study Reveals Tip of the Iceberg,
December 18, 2015

Depression cuts a wide swath across society.

A new study released this month from Harvard Medical School reveals that the entire medical profession is even concerned about depression in its own ranks.  Nearly 30% of new physicians struggle with severe symptoms of major depression, the study says. This is a rate three times worse than the general population.

How is it that those with ready access to the best care can face such serious illness? Stress, silence … whatever the answer, we are dealing with an epidemic, experts warn.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is sure to spark reforms in medical training; but it should also spark broad reflection on depression as a growing public health crisis.

This fall, the World Health Organization announced that depression has become the leading cause of disability worldwide. And though depression affects over 350 million across the globe, progress in understanding and treating the illness has been vexingly slow. No truly new medications have been developed in the three decades since Prozac was introduced.

During the holidays, please remember that depression affects all corners of our community – even our caregivers. If someone in your family or work is struggling, you can get tips for how to speak and listen with compassion on our website: hopefordepression.org/campaign.

And please consider a year-end gift to HDRF. Your gift will help us lead the charge in research, with 100% going directly to our acclaimed Depression Task Force and its remarkable progress in 2016. Your support today will propel all the discoveries that lie in wait and make a profound difference for generations to come.

Thank you.

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