Depression affects about 16 million adults in the U.S. every year and 1 in 6 adults at some point in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And older people are even more at risk, the CDC says, but many don’t seek treatment. A major reason for this cited by experts: Reluctance to seek out help for fear of being stigmatized.
“Decades ago, we used to whisper the word cancer, and depression was regarded in much the same way,” says John Greden, M.D., founder and executive director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center in Ann Arbor. “But it’s time to put that stigma to rest. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of — that’s an important message to send.” Indeed, today’s celebrities are doing just that, speaking candidly about their own experiences in dealing with the disorder, and encouraging others to seek out the help they need.