Available medications and psychological treatments, alone or in combination, can help 80 percent of those with depression. With adequate treatment, future episodes of depression can be prevented or reduced in severity. Treatment for depression can enable people to return to satisfactory, functioning lives. Populations With High Rates of Depression Serious mental illness clearly affects mental health and can affect children, adolescents, adults, and older adults of all ethnic and racial groups, both genders, and people at all educational and income levels. Adults and older adults have the highest rates of depression.
Major depression affects approximately twice as many women as men.
Women who are poor, on welfare, less educated, unemployed, and from certain racial or ethnic populations are more likely to experience depression. In addition, depression rates are higher among older adults with coexisting medical conditions. Rates of depression for older persons in nursing homes range from 15 to 25 percent. Provides free materials on a variety of mental health topics, and referrals to local organizations and support groups. Provides free, confidential depression screenings nationally on a year-round basis and during National Depression Screening Day .