Depression is one of the commonest mental illnesses, and a significant contributor to low productivity. Depressed experience persistent sadness, lack of interest in pleasurable activities, poor appetite, poor sleep, and in some cases suicidal wishes that they may act upon. Depressed individuals are unlikely to perform daily tasks that are needed for one to take care of themselves and families.
Take Depression TourDespite the fact that depressive illnesses are treatable, individuals with Depression are rarely identified and inadequately treated at primary health care level, especially in low resourced sub-Saharan Africa. A number of screening instruments can be used to determine whether a person needs further assessment for a depressive illness.
Many individuals are not even aware that they are suffering from depressive illness that requires the intervention of health care workers. They may think they are simply going through a stressful moment in their lives. Completing our self-assessment instrument, the Akena’s Visual Depression Inventory (AVIDI-18) is one way of knowing whether you may need to engage with your health care provider for a more detailed depressive illness.
Our team developed the AVIDI-18 as an aid in detecting Major Depressive Disorder among individuals of African origin, particularly those with low literacy. This instrument, the very first of its kind is comprised of pictures that help its users have a much better appreciation of some of the signs and symptoms of a Major Depressive Disorder. The items that form the AVIDI-18 underwent a thorough and rigorous scientific procedure, the findings of which are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.