Authorities Call for Action on World Depression Awareness Day

In observance of World Depression Awareness Day, Mexico’s Ministry of Health said it continues to prioritize mental health care through actions focused on prevention, early detection, and timely treatment. Depression remains one of the conditions requiring sustained public attention due to its broad social and economic impact, says the ministry.

Health authorities say depression can affect people at any stage of life and, without appropriate care, may lead to complications that extend beyond personal health to family dynamics, social participation, and workplace performance. For this reason, the condition remains a permanent focus within national mental health policies.

To support access to care, the Ministry of Health offers free and confidential mental health services to the population. These include the Línea de la Vida (Lifeline) hotline, available 24 hours a day, which provides immediate support and guidance. The government also highlights the role of specialized institutions such as the National Institute of Psychiatry “Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz,” which operates under a zero-rejection policy and offers initial evaluations to all individuals seeking care.

World Depression Awareness Day is used to encourage the public to recognize depression as a health condition, speak openly about it, and seek professional support when needed. Authorities emphasize that depression is not limited to specific demographic groups and can affect individuals throughout their lives.

César Sánchez, Deputy Director of Human Resources Training in Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry, says depression should not be confused with temporary sadness. He described it as a persistent low mood of greater severity that interferes with daily functioning across family, social, academic, and work settings.

Sánchez says early detection and timely treatment can significantly improve quality of life by preventing complications that may hinder personal, educational, or professional development. He adds that recognizing warning signs is essential to ensuring access to care at earlier stages of the condition.

Among the main warning signs are prolonged and intense sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, changes in sleep or eating patterns, and reduced energy levels. The specialist also noted that children, adolescents, and older adults are particularly vulnerable groups, underscoring the need to strengthen prevention and early intervention strategies for these populations.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 330 million people worldwide live with depression, representing about 4% to 5% of the global population. Estimates also suggest that close to 10% of people will experience at least one episode of depression during their lifetime.

Mexican health authorities say these figures highlight the importance of maintaining mental health as a public policy priority. On World Depression Awareness Day, they called on the population to discuss the condition openly, listen with empathy, and seek professional help when needed, stressing that timely care can have a decisive impact on individual well-being and long-term social outcomes.

In 2019, an estimated 15.7 million people were living with a mental disorder in Mexico, a figure that rose to 18.1 million by 2021. Over a lifetime, roughly three in 10 people are expected to experience a mental health condition, yet about two-thirds of those affected do not receive treatment. This gap is compounded by limited public investment, as only 1.3% to 1.6% of the total health budget is allocated to mental health, well below the minimum 5% recommended by the WHO for middle-income countries. 

In 2024, Mexico approved about MX$3.8 trillion (US$190 billion) in health-related spending, with 62% of mental health resources channeled through the National Mental Health and Addictions Commission. Service capacity is further constrained by a shortage of professionals, with just 0.2 psychiatrists and three psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, which is among the lowest ratios in Latin America. The burden of mental health conditions is unevenly