Mikä Sound on?

Every fifth person in Finland suffers from depression at some point in their livesⁱⁱⁱ. There are different types of depression – mild, moderate and severe – specified according to the severity of the symptoms. Depression, as a mental disorder, involves a long-term lowering of mood, as well as other symptoms involving thoughts, feelings, behaviour and the entire body. Once depression is recognised, it can be efficiently treated^iv.

Moderate and severe depression in Finland is treated too passively, leading to a rise in the number of disability pensions. Reports show that less than one third of the patients that have applied for disability pensions have received active care combining various forms of treatment^v. It is essential that we focus on the recognition, prevention and more active treatment of moderate and severe depression and offer patients easier access to help.

ⁱⁱⁱ THL, 2018
^iv FAMH, 2018
^v Honkonen et al. 2007, Suominen et al. 2013

Sound is a powerful medium. It is represented in the Sound on campaign in its most immersive form as an original composition and sound installation by media and sound artist Ava Imogen Grayson. Her work portrays a world where compassion, open-mindedness and thoughtfulness are present in both ourselves and the beings around us.

There is maturity and courage in the ability to accept depression as an experience that we, or someone we love, may go through one day. We all know someone who has been affected by depression at some point in their lives, whether we realise it or not.
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As with many other difficult life situations, communication, empathy and support are the only ways that we can transcend an affliction like depression, transforming it into a source of learning, connection, and meaningfulness.