Since 2010, depression has gained ground in France, affecting all population categories. However, some seem more prone to developing this mental illness. On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, an overview of populations at risk.
Affecting more than 300 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a mental illness that is gaining ground, particularly in France.
In the fall of 2018, a weekly epidemiological bulletin from Public Health France thus revealed that between 2010 and 2017, the prevalence of depression had increased by 1.8 points in France. This mental disorder, characterized in particular by a feeling of sadness, despair and permanent overwhelm, seems to mainly affect women (+3 points in seven years), unemployed people (+5 points), those on low incomes (+ 3 points) and the 35-44 age category (+4 points).
The world of work, a breeding ground for depression
In detail, in 2017, the prevalence of depression was estimated at 9.8% among the general population aged 18 to 75. It is twice as high among women (13%) as among men (6.4%). Those aged 18-44 are particularly affected (11.5%), while the risk of depression tends to decrease from the age of 45.
In addition, people with a low or disadvantaged socio-economic status would present a 1.8 times greater risk of suffering from depression than those from a privileged background.
If life events such as emotional breakdowns (divorce, widowhood) seem to increase the risk of depression, the world of work is also fertile ground for depressive ideas. Thus, among working people, the prevalence rate of depression in 2017 was set at 8.2%. According to Public Health France, the sectors most affected are accommodation, catering as well as financial and insurance activities. Intermediate professions and employees have the highest prevalence of depression (about 12% among women and 6% among men). Male executives appear to be the least affected (4.5%).
Preventing and treating depression must be a priority
According to the authors of the report, Astrid Chevance and Raphaël Gaillard, “the workplace being a favorable environment for developing mental health promotion and prevention actions, these results should make it possible to guide preventive actions, particularly in the health sectors. activity most affected.” According to the WHO, France is indeed at the 3rdand rank of countries with the highest number of work-related depressions.
The authors of the Public Health France report, however, insist on the importance of “imposing as public health priorities”, “the prevention and management of depressive states, due to their health, economic and social impacts.” And this, with all segments of the population affected.
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