Deputy Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Ahmed Al-Buluwi, and Executive Director of Medical Services, Dr. Essam Zimaiti at the Ministry of National Guard, Health Affairs, Western Region launched the 2017 World Health Day – “Depression, Let's Talk” activities which were held on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 in the Outpatient Clinics Building. The activities were organized by King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah and represented by the Health Promotion Department.
This World Day aims to:
Depression prevention and treatment and how to deal with patient s who suffer from depression.
Educate the public about better understanding of depression and the preventive measures.
Improve the general public's knowledge on depression, its causes and possible consequences, including suicide, and what can be done to prevent and treat it.
Encourage people who suffer from depression to seek treatment.
Empower the patient’s family members, friends and colleagues to provide support to those affected.
Additionally, three awareness categories were highlighted: people aged 15-24, women of childbearing age (especially after giving birth), and the elderly (over the age of 60).
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression, and it’s considered a common mental disorder. Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression and is the leading cause of disability worldwide and an overall global burden of the disease and its impact on women is far greater than its effect on men.
It is worth mentioning that the events will be accompanied by an educational forum, which will be held on Thursday, the 6th of April 2017 at King Faisal Residential City - Officers Club through lectures that will discuss many vital topics related to depression by a group of speakers from outside King Abdulaziz Medical City Jeddah Depression and how to deal with it:
Depression in children, Depression and self – dealing, Depression and nutrition, Positivity, Sports and depression, Depression in adults, What you should know about depression, Do you live with a person with depression? - Are you worried that your child is depressed? Are you concerned about the future? Preventing depression during your teens and twenties - are you wondering why you’re not happy after giving birth? – Keeping up a positive attitude and prevent depression as you age - Do you know someone who might think of committing suicide? - Do you feel that life does not deserve to be lived?
Health Promotion Manager, Ms. Nimat Nur Matasief pointed out that Awareness and education has become a global and a national strategy and was adopted by KAMC-J, for believing in its constructive impact and great effectiveness. Some of the most important objectives of this strategy is the best utilization of national human and material resources. Our participation in this event is a reflection of the importance of spreading awareness to all segments of the society in line with the World Health Organization's celebration of these events worldwide, with the participation of many participants and volunteers from inside and outside KAMC-J, in addition to the educational symposium which will be held on Thursday, the 6th of April 2017 at King Faisal Residential City - Officers Club.