Understanding Depression Facts and Statistics
Suicide Rates, Age Groups, and Other Information
Sep 4, 2009
Looking over a depression fact sheet reveals some alarming statistics. Over the course of a single year approximately 14.8 million Americans fight depression, a number that represents 6.7 percent fo the adult U.S. population. Children and teenagers don’t fare any better. At any point in time 1 out of 33 children and a staggering 1 in 8 teenagers suffer from depression. The nation is faced with an often overlooked mental health epidemic.
Men, Women, and Depression
Who gets depressed? Anyone can experience a depressive episode, although some groups are at higher risk for depression than others. Women, especially, have high risks of depression.
Until adolescence the sexes show little difference in depression rates. By age fifteen, however, the rate of depression in women jumps to twice that of men, an increased risk that continues throughout life. Social, ethnic and economic factors don’t affect this imbalance in depression risks for men and women: the ratio of 2:1 remains stable even when other factors are considered.
Put another way, 6 to 12 percent of men will experience depression during their lifetime. In contrast, 20 to 26 percent of women—1 out of every 4 or 5 women—will experience at least one depressive episode over the course of their life.
Suicide Rates and Depression
Depression in inextricably linked to acts of self injury or suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control the suicide rate in the U.S. is 11.3 per 100,000 people. This makes the national suicide rate significantly higher than the nation’s homicide rate, with three suicides for every two homicides.
Many of 30,000 suicides reported annually in the United States result from depression. Depression accounts for two thirds of all suicides.
Suicide rates amongst children are especially alarming, with untreated depression identified as the single greatest suicide risk. Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, and the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14.
While women have a greater risk of depression than men, 15 to 24 year old males are significantly more likely to commit suicide. For every suicide in the 15 to 24 age group seven men kill themselves for every woman. Family members of depressed individuals, especially young males, should learn to identify suicidal behavior.
Positive Depression Information
Negative though many depression statistics are, depression treatment offers some good news. Within four to six weeks of treatment up to eighty percent of patients have improved depression symptoms. This statistic holds true for therapy, support groups, antidepressant medication or any combination of treatments.
Unfortunately two thirds of people fighting depression never receive appropriate treatment for the condition, often because they never seek assistance. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness and fatigue often prevent people from getting the help they need for the many types of depression. This is a tragedy, as depression facts show; the illness can be successfully treated.
Resources
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (Retrieved 2 September, 2009). Statistics on Depression.
National Institute of Mental Health. (Retrieved 31 August, 2009). Depression.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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