Havana, April 7 (RHC)-- Cuba has joined international commemorations on World Health Day with a broad program of activities. These include talk shows, film screenings, concerts and photo exhibitions, among others, focused on raising awareness about depression -- the theme of the 2017 World Health Day campaign.

The goal is to encourage sufferers to talk about their experience and seek help.

In statements to Cuban press, Cristian Morales,  Representative in Cuba of the Pan-American and the World Health organizations, noted that depression affects 300 million people worldwide, 50 million of whom live in Latin America.

The UN senior health official explained that depression is often a hidden illness, but it can impact on people’s ability to carry out even simple tasks, and in the most serious cases, can lead to death by suicide.