"Depression is sometimes described as a 'mental flu.' That may be because it is a common disease that can be cured easily. However, for me, depression was more like pneumonia that threatened my life," a woman wrote on her depression experiences.

The woman in her late 30s suffered depression after her husband was diagnosed with rectal cancer a few years ago. The news came soon after she gave birth her daughter, and her illness developed severely.

"Now completely recovered, I try to remember the disease's 80 percent recurrence rate. I don't want to experience such a thing ever again," she said in her essay, which won the first prize at a contest held by the Social and Economic Burden of Depression Initiative Korea, a local branch of the Asian call to join forces to fight against depression.

A growing number of Koreans are reporting depression, a state of low self esteem and aversion to activity.

According to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, the disease is most common among young people in their 20s as they feel stressed from studying and finding a job.

However, those in their 50s accounted for the largest portion of patients diagnosed with depression, the ministry said.

In 2008, a total of 469,522 people received treatment for depression, up from 420,250 back in 2005.

"Depression can be treated through self checkups and early mental and medical treatment. With some help from family and friends, the disease can be overcome completely," said a ministry official.

"Even though depression is a disease that can be treated, few people are visiting clinics for treatment due to a lack of awareness. If suspected patients are not treated properly, severe side effects, including suicide, can occur."

Wonju Mental Health Center, located in Gangwon Province, conducted a survey on its 142 patients who have attempted suicide - the nation's first of its kind. Of the total, 79 people, or 55.6 percent, were found to have experienced depression.

Internationally, 2 to 15 percent of people diagnosed with depression kill themselves, the ministry said.

The Health Ministry provided diagnostic criteria for depression, which is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders developed by the American Psychiatric Association.

According to the ministry, people who have more than four symptoms for two weeks should visit a doctor.

The symptoms include losing or gaining weight, sleeping less or more, losing concentration, experiencing feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness and thinking about death or planning suicide.

After a series of suicides committed by celebrities in recent years, depression started to be recognized as a social issue here.

Starting with an international meeting in Switzerland, the Social and Economic Burden of Depression Initiative was launched in 2001 to join forces of individuals, government and the medical community to fight against the suffering caused by depression.

The SEBoD Korea, consisting of social and medical specialists, offers education, checkups and professional consultations. A total of 14 medical organizations are participating in the program this year.

In order to renew people's awareness of depression and detect potential patients earlier, the group also trains individuals at schools, military and government offices to help sufferers overcome the disease.

The government is also operating call centers and online consultation sites. The information on mental health centers across the nation is also available at the ministry's website www.mw.go.kr

Source : koreaherald.co.kr