2023 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 7 found that :
• 42.9 % of people aged 16-85 years had experienced a mental health condition at some time in their lives
• 21.5 % of people had a 12-month mental health disorder 2020-2021 o 17.2 % ( 3.4 million people ) had a 12-month anxiety disorder o 7.5 % ( 1.5 million people ) had a 12-month affective disorder
• 38.8 % of people aged 16-24 years had a 12-month mental health condition
All over the world , mental health needs are high , but responses are insufficient and inadequate . 1 Most people with mental health conditions do not have access to effective care because services and supports are not available , lack capacity , cannot be accessed or are unaffordable ; or because widespread stigma stops people from seeking help . 1
Diet and nutrition , 8-12 herbal medicines , 12-15 exercise , 11 physical activity , 11 meditation , 11 mindfulness , 11 nature and “ green space ”, 11 music , and sleep 11 are utilised in the management of depression . The focus of any management plan is on treating the whole person , 16 but , due to the complexity and the numerous pieces of the puzzle of mental health and wellbeing , this article aims to highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing with a focus on depression , and discusses the importance of nutritional and lifestyle medicine in the management of depression .
Depression
Depression is a common , multifactorial , recurrent , and debilitating health condition 6 and is the leading cause of disability worldwide . 17 It is a significant public health problem 18 that is prevalent worldwide and across all ages and genders . 19 , 20 A sharp increase in depression rates is observed between late adolescence and adulthood ( i . e ., 18-24 years ), with rates of mental illness peaking in emerging adulthood . 21
Key Messages
• Mental health and wellbeing are critically important to everyone
• Between 2020 and 2023 42.9 % of Australians aged 16-85 years experienced a mental health condition at some time in their life
• Between 2020 and 2023 21.5 % of Australians aged 16-85 years had a 12-month mental health condition
• Depression is a multifactorial health condition that can be described as a lifelong battle
• There is a strong link between mental and physical health
• All over the world , mental health needs are high , but healthcare responses are insufficient and inadequate
• Accessible tools and services for improving mental health are required
• Health professionals play an important role in the holistic care of a person suffering from depression
• Optimum nutrition is the foundation of optimum physical and mental health and wellbeing
• Lifestyle medicine ( such as exercise , meditation and sleep ) plays a major role in improving mental health and wellbeing
No one is immune from depression . Depression can affect all walks of life and people , including athletes , 22-24 elite athletes , 22 , 25 high school athletes , 23 university athletes , 22 , 23 swimmers , 25 soccer players , 26 27 , 28
professional dancers , actors , 29 seafarers and sailors , 30 school students , 31 32 , 33
university students , medical students , 32 , 34 dentistry students , 32 pharmacy students , 32 shift workers , 35 mothers ( including pregnancy and postnatal ), 36 and health professionals . 37 Regarding sports , individual sport athletes are more likely to report depression and anxiety than team sport athletes 24 and career termination in athletes can lead to depression , anxiety , and anger . 23
Globally , depression is responsible for more ‘ years lost ’ to disability than any other health condition . 38 It has significant economic and social consequences . 19 Depression is characterised by depressed mood , 39 sadness , 39 , 40 anxiety , 41 irritability , 41 agitation , 41 loss of interest in activities , 39 , 40 insomnia , 41 lethargy , 41 and decreased energy . 39 Other symptoms of depression include loss of confidence and self-esteem , inappropriate guilt , thoughts of death and suicide , diminished concentration , and disturbance of sleep and appetite . 39 Depression is associated with decreased productivity , poor psychosocial outcomes , and decreased quality of life and wellbeing . 18 There is impairment of overall social functioning in people with depression . 42 Depression can manifest as a form of metabolic disorder , cardiovascular diseases , endocrine disorder , inflammatory disorders , deficiencies , or neurodegenerative disorders . 20 High levels of work stress have been associated with a higher risk of mood and anxiety disorders . 40 Burnout is a prolonged response to chronic emotional and social stressors . 43 Depression can be described as a lifelong battle . 20
Depression is multifactorial and is suggested to result from complex interactions of an individual ’ s genetics and their environment . 44 Studies suggest that the hippocampus plays a part in the onset of major depression . 18 Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI ) studies of the brain of depressed patients have shown a significant reduction in hippocampus volume . 18 Neurotransmitters are involved in mood , cognition , sleep , and appetite . 45 In depression , there is also dysregulation of the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune pathways . 44 Inflammation has been suggested as a possible pathophysiological mechanism in depression 19 and research confirms the association between depression and inflammation . 46 Inflammation affects the central nervous system through immune activation and is connected to the occurrence of depression . 47
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