# What is depression?

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED-Ed
- Speaker: Helen M. Farrell
- Year: 2015
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology, Medicine and health, Psychology and the brain
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/helen_m_farrell_what_is_depression)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world; in the United States, close to ten percent of adults struggle with the disease. But because it's a mental illness, it can be a lot harder to understand than, say, high cholesterol. Helen M. Farrell examines the symptoms and treatments of depression, and gives some tips for how you might help a friend who is suffering. \[Directed by Artrake Studio, narrated by Addison Anderson\].

## Lectures

1. [What is depression?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/helen_m_farrell_what_is_depression/1337b1f78577), 5 min (TED's player)