May 22, 2017 – WHO Focus

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Anchor lead: Depression treatment for younger people needs attention, Elizabeth Tracey reports

Depression is this year’s focus for the World Health Organization, and Patricia Davidson, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, says a particular emphasis must be on the recognition and treatment of depression in younger people, who may turn to suicide attempts when the condition persists.

Davidson: That underscores the importance of the media in how we communicate these issues. It also compels us to look at how we engage young individuals in terms of treatment of depression. Also access to guns. Swallowing a handful of pills there is some chance of detoxing and perhaps reversing the effects of what could be perceived as an impulsive act. But sadly, a fatal wound to the heart or the brain, is terminal.   :33

Davidson says we do have treatment strategies that work for depression, but these must be preceded by recognition. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.