The Chamber of Deputies approved this Wednesday (10) the bill that creates the National Program for the Prevention of Depression. The matter goes to the Senate. The text establishes eight objectives and provides for the guarantee of full access to psychosocial care and adequate treatment for people with depression in the Unified Health System (SUS), with priority given to preventive actions. Among the planned actions is the carrying out of permanent and special educational campaigns in the National Depression Awareness Week, to clarify the various aspects involved, aimed mainly at children and adolescents. The event must be held annually in the week comprising the 10th of October. The matter also provides for the guarantee of information and access to specialized health services for people with depressive disorders and support for family members and people close to the person with depression. In addition, it establishes the signing of agreements and covenants for research and development of therapeutic strategies to combat depression and for early diagnosis. “Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the world, in addition to showing an increasing trend. According to data from the World Health Organization, it affects about 300 million people, which represents 4.4% of the world population, being the main cause of disability. In Brazil, it is estimated a prevalence of 15.5%, which is a relatively high percentage”, said the rapporteur, deputy Nely Aquino (Podemos-MG). The deputy stressed that depression is also correlated with many cases of suicide. “According to data from the Ministry of Health, around 12,000 suicides are registered annually in Brazil, with 96.8% of the cases being related to mental disorders, depression being one of the main ones”, she pointed out. For the rapporteur, the State has an “inescapable” role in the prevention, treatment and protection of people. “These data clearly demonstrate that depression is a relevant public health problem, which demands a specific but comprehensive policy – which includes all aspects of a person’s life, especially work and school, in order to provide more welcoming environments. and less toxic for human coexistence”, he said. “The State has a duty to develop instruments that allow significant improvements in mental health care”, she added.
Agência Brasil
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