Тяжелая и рецидивирующая депрессия является contributing cause of death and disability worldwide, with data variability by geographic region.
Institutional response and care needs The commemoration of World Depression Day aims to guide the population on the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment, as well as to raise public awareness about depression as a condition requiring specialized medical and social attention.
In Mexico, health institutions have issued messages that include the identification of warning signs and the promotion of timely intervention to reduce the burden of disease and facilitate access to competent mental health services.
Available information highlights that depression continues to be a public health challenge both globally and in Mexico, with implications for morbidity and mortality, quality of life, and demand for specialized health services.
World Depression Day highlights a high-impact social epidemic By: Editorial LaSalud.mx/Sanamente.mx, Mexico City, January 12, 2026. -
January 13th commemorates World Depression Day, a day that emphasizes the need to sensitize, guide and prevent depressive disorder as a public health problem of global magnitude, with relevant epidemiological impact in Mexico and the world, according to official information from the Ministry of Health and the National Council for the Development and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (CONADIS).
Global epidemiology of depression The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the world, affecting more than 300 million people globally, making it the leading cause of disability and a significant factor in the global burden of disease.
Global data also suggest that depression can manifest at different stages of life, affecting both adults and adolescents and older people, with variations in prevalence and clinical presentation.
Etiological factors and determining mechanisms The exact causes of depression are not entirely clear, but it is recognized that social, psychological and biological factors interact to trigger this mental disorder.
The commemoration of January 13 as World Depression Day serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive actions in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and elimination of access barriers to effectively address this disorder.
This note, as well as reports, exclusive interviews, videos, podcast and more, you will find in our next special digital edition of Selected Mental Health Topics.
LaSalud.mx The Journal of the Medical Community.
Visit some of our special editions at https://issuu.com/grupo-mundodehoy
D.E.
The combination of genetic predisposition, life experiences and environmental conditions contributes to its onset.
Depression is characterized by symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, sleep and appetite disturbances, lack of concentration and fatigue, among others, and requires clinical evaluation for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Groups most affected Authorities have indicated that although depression can occur in any age group, there are groups with greater vulnerability, including adolescents and older adults, who often face additional barriers to accessing mental health services and timely support.
Studies by international organizations also indicate that depression can have a differentiated impact according to age, gender and socioeconomic context, being more prevalent in women and in contexts with higher levels of social stress.
Disease burden and associated mortality
In addition to its incidence, depression affects mortality rates, as in the worst case it can lead to suicidal behaviors and other fatal outcomes if it is not identified or treated in time.
