{"id":4391,"date":"2023-09-11T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prd-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=4391"},"modified":"2025-04-17T21:32:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T21:32:33","slug":"warning-signs-suicide-how-to-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/warning-signs-suicide-how-to-help\/","title":{"rendered":"How to help a friend in mental health crisis","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite a range of effective treatments, many barriers remain that prevent people from receiving the care they need \u2014 including a lack of investment in mental health care<\/a> and trained providers, as well as social stigmas.<\/p>\n

When left untreated and at its worst, depression can lead to suicide. More than 700,000 people die by suicide each year, according to the WHO.<\/p>\n

Depression and suicide risk does not discriminate. The key is recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression and\/or suicidal thoughts, starting the conversation and getting the appropriate help.<\/p>\n

What does depression look like?<\/h2>\n

Depression can be challenging to identify, both for those experiencing it and those around them. To a person with depression, they may think they\u2019re in a \u201cfunk.\u201d To an outside observer, a person experiencing depression may appear healthy.<\/p>\n

There are two types of depression. In major depression<\/strong>, depression symptoms interfere with your ability to function in all areas of life (work, family, sleep and so on). In dysthymia<\/strong>, a mild but long-term form of depression, symptoms are not as severe but can still affect your ability to function at normal levels.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of depression include:<\/p>\n