29 Apr 2019

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, general practitioner Dr Boikhutso Lethapa of Trusted Care Clinic, Serowe has told women at a high tea event. 

Speaking at an event held under the auspices of Contemporary Business, a 100 per cent citizen owned events management establishment, Dr Lethapa said  it was critical that depression was discussed at a gathering of women because statistics showed that women were twice likely to be more depressed than men. 

Dr Lethapa said statistics also showed that one in four women would get depressed at some point in their lives.  

She said women were likely to  be stressed than men because they were more prone to abuse especially at a younger age than their male counterparts. “In many instances women are caregivers and worse poor compared to men. Additionally, women are more prone to overthinking events, Dr Lethapa said. 

She noted that owing to the stated statistics, depression was a global burden. She also found that people neglected their mental wellbeing, but she made a clarion call against stigmatising any disease, including depression. 

In her presentation the Trusted Care Clinic owner clarified that depression was more than being sad. She explained that contrary to popular belief, sadness was a small portion of depression since people could still be happy whilst depressed.

Dr Lethapa also clarified that depression was a medical condition despite some people dismissing it as such. 

Though depression is a treatable condition, Dr Lethapa told the women that stigma was the biggest barrier to mental health care. She said a lot of people ended up dead due to stigma. “Treatment of depression starts with us,” she said. She allayed fears against depression saying it was highly treatable though there could be a relapse.

However, she said only a 10 per cent of depression patients received treatment in developing countries.

The barriers  to treatment, she said included lack of resources and professionally trained personnel. ENDS