Dealing with depression

Oct 15, 2026 Editorial, News

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(Kaieteur News) – Depression is not a character flaw, a sign of weakness or simply a bad mood that will disappear with a little encouragement. It is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, social standing or religious belief. Yet, in Guyana, where people are often expected to endure hardship in silence, depression is too easily dismissed as merely “feeling low”. This attitude must change.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 280 million people worldwide experience depression. The condition affects people across all walks of life, with women experiencing it more frequently than men. Depression is also a significant concern among young people, while its consequences can be devastating when symptoms go unrecognised and treatment is inaccessible.

The figures demand attention, but behind them are individuals struggling with sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, loss of interest in everyday activities, poor concentration, disturbed sleep and, in severe cases, thoughts of suicide. When these symptoms persist, they should not be brushed aside or treated as evidence of laziness or a lack of discipline. They warrant professional assessment and, where necessary, appropriate treatment.

Too often, however, the response to depression is precisely the opposite of what an affected person needs. Someone who withdraws from family and friends may be accused of being antisocial. A person who struggles to concentrate or perform routine tasks may be labelled unmotivated. Someone overwhelmed by personal difficulties may be told to toughen up, pray harder or simply get on with life.

Faith, family support and encouragement can provide comfort, but they are not substitutes for professional mental health care when it is needed. Scolding, ridicule and destructive criticism can deepen a person’s distress and discourage them from seeking help. Understanding must replace judgment, and compassion must take precedence over condemnation.

Depression is complex. Genetic predisposition, difficult life experiences, financial pressures, relationship breakdowns, bereavement and certain medical conditions can contribute to its development. No single explanation applies to every case, and not everyone exposed to adversity will develop depression. This complexity makes public education and accessible mental health services all the more important.

For Guyana, the challenge deserves particular urgency. The country’s rapid economic transformation has brought opportunities, but national prosperity does not automatically translate into emotional well-being for every citizen. Poverty, unemployment, family responsibilities, domestic difficulties and the pressures of modern life can weigh heavily on individuals and households. Women may face disproportionate burdens associated with caregiving and economic insecurity, while men may be reluctant to disclose emotional struggles because of expectations that they must remain strong and self-reliant.

The reported prevalence of depression among women also raises important questions about the circumstances in which women live and work. At the same time, concerns about suicide among men in Guyana underscore the need to examine whether stigma, social expectations and reluctance to seek help are preventing some people from receiving support. These issues require reliable local research rather than assumptions.

The WHO has warned that access to mental health treatment remains inadequate in many low- and middle-income countries. Guyana must ensure that mental health care is not an afterthought in its expanding health system. Investment in hospitals and physical infrastructure must be accompanied by investment in trained mental health professionals, community-based services, public education and affordable treatment.

Schools should help children recognise emotional distress and know where to seek assistance. Workplaces should foster environments in which employees can discuss mental health concerns without fear of ridicule or discrimination. Primary healthcare facilities should be equipped to identify symptoms and refer patients for appropriate care. Public awareness campaigns must also make it clear that seeking psychological or psychiatric assistance is neither shameful nor a failure.

Government, healthcare providers, religious institutions, families and the media all have a role to play. Churches and other faith communities, in particular, can offer compassionate support while encouraging people experiencing persistent symptoms to seek professional help. Most importantly, people experiencing depression must not be made to feel that they are alone or that their suffering is a personal failure. Persistent symptoms deserve attention, and thoughts of suicide require urgent support.

Guyana cannot continue to treat depression as an uncomfortable subject to be discussed only after tragedy strikes. Mental health must become an integral part of the national health agenda, supported by funding, trained personnel, accessible services and sustained public education A society’s well-being cannot be measured by economic growth alone. It must also be measured by how seriously it takes the suffering of its people. Depression is not simply “feeling low”. It is a health issue that demands understanding, intervention and action. Guyana must respond accordingly.

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• bad mood, depression, Editorial, medical condition

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