The Cuban presenter stars in a public service announcement in which he invites people to talk about depression, the first step in overcoming it.
Washington, DC, April 6, 2017 (PAHO/WHO)- The Cuban presenter and speaker Ismael Cala joined the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) World Health Day Campaign (April 7) to generate awareness and encourage people to talk about depression, the primary cause of global illness and disability.
Cala's collaboration with PAHO, regional office of the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), includes a video in which the television presenter explains what some of the symptoms of depression are, takes on the prejudices that can discourage help seeking, and invites people to talk about depression. The video, a public service announcement, will be shared through social media networks.
"Maybe you stopped enjoying the activities that interested you before and now you don't have energy for anything, you are tired all day, you don't sleep or it's hard for you to get up, you feel like you're not useful or you lost hope. Let's talk about depression," says Cala in the video.
Depression is a common mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that people normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for 14 days or longer. Nearly 50 million people in the Region of the Americas are living with depression, about 17% more people than in 2005, estimates show. This is why depression was chosen as the theme for this year's World Health Day.
"Depression isn't a sign of weakness. We can all suffer from it," affirms the presenter. "Depression is treatable. Don't isolate yourself, and ask for help."
See PAHO's public service announcement starring Ismael Cala in this link
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Ismael Cala is a presenter, author and international speaker on the subjects of personal development and leadership. For more than five years he presented the show "Cala" on CNN primetime in Spanish, where he addressed the subject of mental health on various opportunities. Considered one of the continent's most important presenters, he carries his message of entrepreneurship, mindfulness and wellbeing to millions of followers. Through his foundation, he works to empower youth in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.
PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO.
Related material
- Related materials: Depression: let's talk website
- https://www.twitter.com/pahowho #LetsTalk
Contacts
Leticia Linn, linnl@paho.org, Tel: 1 202 974 3440, Cell: 1 202 701 4005; Sebastián Oliel, oliels@paho.org, Tel: 1 202 974 3459, Cell: 1 202 316 5679, Daniel Epstein, epsteind@paho.org, Tel. +1-202-974-3579, Mobile +1 301 219 2105. Department of Communications, PAHO/WHO-www.paho.org
Ismael Cala
Michel Suárez; +1 305 833-3085;
prensa@calapresenta.com
www.ismaelcala.com
