Depression is more common than many people think. In fact, it’s one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting about 6.7% of adults. That’s 16 million Americans: people who have to cope with the sometimes debilitating effects of the illness in their everyday lives. The problem is severe enough that the WHO (World Health Organization) has declared depression the top cause of disability worldwide. Estimates suggest that more than 4% of the world’s population as a whole are affected by depression. Like many mental illnesses, it’s common for depression to be taken less seriously as it should be—as if it isn’t an issue that greatly impacts everyday life for those who suffer from it. Here’s why it’s important that we start shifting these views in the United States and worldwide.