March 24 — International Day against Depression: the history and essence of the holiday

International Depression Day is celebrated annually on March 24 in Russia and other countries of the world. In 2025, the date of the celebration falls on a Monday. Izvestia tells us what kind of holiday it is, what traditions are associated with it, and how to identify depression in yourself or your loved ones.

International Depression Day in 2025 — the essence of the holiday

The celebration has no official status and was founded by the medical community to draw attention to mental health issues.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), every tenth inhabitant of the planet faces various forms of depressive mental disorder after the age of 40. Collectively, more than 350 million people suffer from this serious disease, of which about 8 million are Russian citizens. About $1 trillion is spent annually on the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

The event has an educational function and is designed to consolidate various segments of society around this problem, as well as inform the population about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of depression.

International Depression Day is celebrated every year in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries.

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Traditions for the International Day against Depression

Today, this international date is celebrated by a wide range of specialists — psychologists, neuropsychiatrists, psychiatrists, students and teachers of specialized fields, medical and social services workers who help citizens cope with psychological problems.

Various seminars, conferences and experience exchange events are organized for the holiday. Lectures by leading experts and free consultations with their participation are held for a wide audience. Charitable foundations organize fundraising to help people with depressive syndrome.

The media publishes thematic stories about the disease, doctors and medical achievements in the treatment of the disease. Documentaries and programs on how to overcome depression and maintain mental health are shown on television.

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Interesting facts about International Depression Day in 2025

Depression has been studied for centuries. Mention of the disease can be found in the writings of Hippocrates, where it is called melancholia. With a depressive disorder, the patient experiences a decline in strength, loses interest in life and decreases his ability to work. In case of a severe form of the disease, hospitalization is required.

Women are most often affected by the disease, mainly after the birth of a child. According to statistics, every fifth young mother is confronted with postpartum depression. The disease is also often diagnosed in children and adolescents aged 10 to 16 years.

The Zang scale, or the Zang test, developed by American psychiatrist William Zang, is used to determine depression. This technique allows you to independently assess the severity of a mental disorder, as well as identify what caused it and when to seek help from a specialist.

Earlier, Izvestia told how the International Day of Happiness is celebrated.