Editorial

Abstract

From a public health perspective, there is probably no more important or daunting challenge than reducing the prevalence of the most common mental disorders, namely anxiety and depression. These disorders have a combined community prevalence rate of between 15% and 30% (Cox et al. 1987; Robins et al. 1991; Goldberg & Huxley, 1992; Kessler et al. 1994; Meltzer et al. 1995) and account for one-third of days lost from work due to ill health (Jenkins, 1985a) and one-fifth of all consultations in general practice in the UK (Williams et al. 1986). The common mental disorders are associated with impairments in physical and social functioning at least as severe those associated with chronic physical illnesses (Wells et al. 1988; Klerman, 1989; Wohlfarth et al. 1993; Ormel & Costa e Silva, 1995; Spitzer et al. 1995; Martin et al. 1996), and a mortality rate nearly twice that of the general population (Murphy et al., 1987; Klerman, 1989; Lloyd et al. 1996). The public health importance of these disorders, even in mild form, is further demonstrated by the finding that low levels of depression resulted in 51% more days lost from work than major depression (Broadhead et al. 1990). The total annual cost of the common mental disorders in the UK may amount to £6 billion, of which two-thirds arises from lost productivity (Croft-Jefferys & Wilkinson, 1989). Despite the availability of simple, cheap and effective treatments (Paykel & Priest, 1992; Effective Health Care, 1993; Brugha, 1995), one study found that the prevalence of these disorders in Britain may have increased recently (Lewis & Wilkinson, 1993).

Case-finding for common mental disorders of anxiety and depression in primary care: an external validation of routinely collected data

“…The prevalence of the CMDs of anxiety and depression found in this study is in keeping with other studies [ 4 , 6 , 9 ]. Changes in primary care recording of anxiety and depression in Wales mirror those found in other large primary care datasets, [ 18 , 19 ] and justify the inclusion of symptom codes in our analysis rather than reflecting a true decrease in the incidence of the diagnosis of anxiety and depression.…”

“…Common mental disorders (CMD) are an important public health problem comprising depression, anxiety, panic and somatisation and usually presenting as mixed syndromes with mixed symptoms. They are significant contributors to impaired health, well-being and health services utilisation, direct and indirect costs to the economy and overall mortality [ 1 – 4 ] CMD have a combined community prevalence of between 15 % and 30 %, depending on the population and case definition used [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Efficacy and Moderation of Mobile App–Based Programs for Mindfulness-Based Training, Self-Compassion Training, and Cognitive Behavioral Psychoeducation on Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial

“…With 1 in 7 adults having a common mental disorder and only 1 in 4 of them seeking formal mental health services in Hong Kong [ 3 ], a population-based approach is likely to have the greatest impact in reducing mental health burden in the community [ 66 ]. In comparison with face-to-face interventions, mobile app interventions are easily accessible and have the potential to meet the need for mental health promotion and universal prevention in the community settings.…”

Are mental health and binge drinking associated in Dutch adolescents? Cross-sectional public health study

“…Anxiety and depression are major causes of morbidity and disability and constitute a major public health burden [20]. Binge drinking is a particularly harmful way to consume alcohol [6], and especially at a young age when the brain is still developing and is susceptible to alcohol-induced damage [4,5].…”

“…Subclinical mood changes are common in adolescence, ranging from "dips" in mood that usually last no longer than a few weeks to subclinical depression, which affects 17% of young people [19]. Depression and anxiety disorders have a high disease burden, even in a mild form [20] and teenagers with subclinical depression have a 6 times higher risk of developing clinical depression than teenagers without subclinical depression [19], and adolescents diagnosed with a depressive disorder are at higher risk of substance abuse, future depression, and suicidal behaviour [14,21,22]. Fifteen percent of adolescents report anxiety [23], with social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder in particular developing during childhood and adolescence [24].…”