Depression, 50% of mental health disorders appear before the age of 15

They suffer from it approximately 280 million people in the world, making it one of the great pathologies on the planet. In fact, it is estimated that it affects 5% of the global population. The numbers of depression are impressive, even more so if you consider that the data could be underestimated, and above all that following the Covid-19 pandemic a sharply increasing trend has been triggered. The consequences and impact on specific segments of the population are progressively emerging, emerging as an emergency within an emergency with a delayed outbreak. In fact, the number of Italians suffering from it has increased: a silent pathology, often underestimated, because it is still surrounded today by shame and social stigma. Some small steps have been taken, for example with the psychologist bonus. But there is still a long way to go.

Depression has a significant impact on a social, family and often professional level. According to data from the Higher Institute of Health, the days per month spent in bad health for people with depression vary from eight for adults versus one for people without depression to 15 for those over 65 versus two for people without depression. suffering from depression. A particularly relevant fact is the increase in incidence in younger generations. According to Passi data (Progress of healthcare companies for health in Italy) 7% of 18-year-olds report having depressive symptoms. Furthermore, a study conducted globally by the World Health Organization highlighted – after the first year of the pandemic – a increase of over 25% of subjects with anxiety and depression disorders.

Not only that: the last three years have obviously contributed to accentuating uncertainty and instability, adding to Covid-19 also the war in Ukraine, the growing international tensions, the increase in the cost of living and therefore also the possibility of being able to receive adequate treatment. According to the Headway-Mental Health Index 2.0 created by The European House-Ambrosetti in collaboration with Angelini Pharma, in fact, at least 50% of mental health disorders begin before the age of 15 and 80% of the latter manifest themselves before the age of 18, in some cases becoming a permanent problem for life.

Against psychological prejudices

With the aim of shining a light on this pathology, it was born #I am fine thank youan awareness campaign created with the non-conditioning contribution of Angelini Pharma which aims to increase information and awareness on the issues of mental health and depressive disorders. Too often these disorders are in fact kept hidden or minimized, even when they manifest themselves in the mildest forms. For fear of being labeled and stigmatized, those suffering from depression ask “How are you?” they tend to answer “I’m fine, thanks”: this is the inspiration for the title of the campaign which intends to undermine prejudices towards all forms of mental distress with a sort of immersive path open to all.

Countryside #I am fine thank you in fact it points to raise awareness people suffering from depression, their families and friends, healthcare professionals and the public on how they can live with the disease and overcome it, but also continue to counteract prejudice and stigma associated with this pathology thanks to new and inclusive languages ​​such as that of art.

#I am fine thank youin fact, involves the creation of a real one artistic installation, a box – a box. By accessing the box for free, visitors will be able to walk through four rooms, each different from the other, in which artistic performances become a metaphor for the daily difficulties of those suffering from depression.

The box of #I am fine thank you will occupy the external spaces of Maxxi museum in Rome for another three weekends (30 September-1st October, 7 and 8 October And 14 And October 15th).

#I am fine thank youin the rooms of “discomfort”

But what are the four rooms of #stobenegrazie?
In the first, through heavy curtains and a sloping floor – which is not immediately perceived, but which makes the visitor’s progress more tiring – the state of constraintof difficulty moving forward, a condition of many people suffering from depressive disorders.

In the second, the visitor finds himself in front of a sheet of elastic fabric, behind which a dancing performer, Jeannie Nitro, moves as if she were a prisoner. Her fabric highlights her movements and the dancer interprets the feeling of being trapped and unable to free herself, letting herself be carried away by Ehxnash’s music.

In the third, the visitor finds himself in front of a short corridor: on the wall one or more screens will play an artistic video which will contain, with sounds, music and images, what depression really means. The montage will first represent some forms of depression, and then slowly change, transform, convey a message of hope and trust. The intent is to convey the idea that, with consistency, awareness and the right care, it is possible to manage depression, recover from mild forms, and live with disorders in a non-limiting and lighter way.

The last room is surrounded by a soft but reassuring light. A mirror will be installed in front of which the spectator will suddenly find himself face to face with himself. Next to the mirror, an arch will ideally divide the room into two distinct areas. From the arch you will see a symbolic tree, painted in soft and reassuring colours. Once past the arch, a writing will be visible above the exit door: «And then we went out to see the stars again». Dante’s verse that closes the first book of the Divine Comedy contains hope, the passage towards light, the exit from a situation without light towards a perspective that lightens and frees the soul and mind.