Depression: the silent struggle

On 23 February, Poland marks National Depression Awareness Day, recognising an illness that affects millions of people worldwide, across all social groups. Amid growing professional and personal pressures, depression has become one of the key health challenges of the 21st century. How can we recognise it, and what can we do to address it?

Depression: more than a low mood

Depression is more than sadness or a temporary feeling of being down. It is a serious mental health condition that affects many areas of a person’s life. Symptoms include:

• a persistently low mood;
• a loss of interest and enjoyment in life;
• difficulty concentrating;
• insomnia or excessive sleepiness;
• chronic fatigue;
• feelings of worthlessness;
• thoughts of giving up and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

Why can it be so difficult to recognise?

Depression is often hidden, both in private life and at work. People affected may appear to be functioning normally while experiencing considerable distress internally. At work, it may present as burnout, reduced motivation and chronic stress.

Depression statistics: facts and figures

Worldwide

• Global prevalence: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 280 million people have depression, representing approximately 3.8% of the world’s population. Among adults, the figure is around 5%, rising to 5.7% in people over 60. WHO projections suggest that depression could become the most common illness worldwide by 2030.

In Europe

• Chronic depression in the EU: Eurostat data from 2019 show that around 7.2% of European Union citizens report chronic depression. The proportion is higher in countries such as Portugal (12.2%), Sweden (11.7%), and Germany and Croatia (11.6% each).
• The impact of the pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on mental health in Europe. In some countries, including France and Belgium, more than 20% of adults experienced depressive symptoms during lockdown.

In Poland

• The scale of the problem: An estimated 1.2 million people in Poland have depression. In 2023, more than 800,000 patients received healthcare for a diagnosis of depression.
• High risk: In spring 2022, around 65% of adults in Poland could be considered at risk of depression, placing Poland among the EU countries with the highest levels of risk.
• Antidepressants: Sales of antidepressants in Poland have risen by 59% over the past 10 years.
• Depression among young people: In 2022, 2,031 suicide attempts were recorded among people aged 18 and under, with 150 resulting in death.

Unofficial figures and helplines

Alongside these official statistics, unofficial data from independent surveys and mental health support platforms suggest that depression may be an even greater problem. Some sources indicate that:

• The number of people reporting depressive symptoms may have been 10–15% higher than official statistics suggest.
• Over the past five years, calls to helplines have increased by an average of 20%, reflecting a growing need for support during times of crisis.

If you are experiencing an acute crisis or need to speak to a professional, the following support and emergency numbers are available in Poland:

• Helpline for adults: 116 123
• Helpline for children and young people: 116 111
• Emergency number across Europe: 112

How can we help?

Prevention and a prompt response are central to addressing depression. Here are some steps that may help both individuals and organisations looking after their employees’ mental health:

• Awareness and education — talking openly about mental health and learning to recognise the early signs of depression.
• Psychological support — access to therapy and psychological consultations should feel as natural as seeing a GP.
• Work–life balance — an excessive workload increases the risk of depression. Making space for rest and recovery matters.
• Workplace support programmes — more organisations are introducing dedicated psychological support, giving employees access to consultations with a psychologist.

Depression at work: a challenge for organisations

More and more organisations recognise the importance of their employees’ mental health. Exhaustion, chronic stress and a lack of support can lead to high staff turnover, reduced performance and lower team motivation. Organisations are therefore introducing Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), which provide professional psychological support to help employees cope better with stress and burnout.

Do not be afraid to ask for help

Depression is a treatable illness. If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of depression, do not delay seeking help. Professional psychological support and access to therapy can help restore a sense of balance and improve quality of life.