Brussels, 02/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of European Depression Day on 1 October, the European Depression Association (EDA) called on MEPs to unite their forces in order to give more visibility to this condition that affects ever increasing numbers of people. During an event held in the European Parliament on Wednesday, MEPs were asked to sign an MEP Ambassador Programme showing their commitment to fighting depression and to spreading the message in their member states. The programme was officially launched following a debate on “Depression and the Family”, chaired by Jutta Steinruck (S&D, Germany). “As an MEP, we have a responsibility to protect and promote the health of the millions of citizens that voted for us”, Steinruck stated. The EDA calls: i) at the national level, for member states to prioritise improvements in the management of depression in the workplace, and to implement the EU Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being; ii) at the European level, for the EU to initiate a revision of the directive on safety and health at work so as to ensure improvements, and for depression to become a key priority. Depression affects 30 million Europeans and is the main cause of disability worldwide. It also has a significant socio-economic impact as its annual cost to the EU is estimated at €92 billion. (IL)