TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The World Health Organization has identified depression as the leading cause of ill health globally. According to data from Taiwan's health insurance medical records spanning 2016 to 2021, the number of young people aged 15 to 30 diagnosed with psychiatric-related conditions has risen from 221,000 to 292,000. This represents an overall growth rate of 47%.
Despite the rising prevalence of depression among youth, nearly 40% have not sought medical treatment. Health experts believe this reluctance may be due to the social stigma associated with depression, as well as the time-consuming nature of medical treatment.
To combat this issue, Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) launched a mental health program for young people in August. The program offers three free psychological consultations each year to individuals aged 15 to 30.
According to the MOHW's Department of Mental Health, 7,917 people had benefited from the program as of the end of September, and the program is expected to assist a total of 18,000 young people across Taiwan.
The Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy also reported that the number of universities nationwide implementing mental health days increased to more than 30 in October, up from just 12 in May.
Chen Chih-tsai, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, warned that as the number of teenagers experiencing emotional distress rises, those showing signs of severe depression are less likely to seek help.
Studies show that experiencing depression in youth can increase the risk of depression in later life by 2 to 7 times.
For those experiencing symptoms such as a lack of energy, changes in appetite, or a continuous low mood, experts recommend regular exercise, maintaining social connections, and seeking early-stage treatment and consultation.