'More must be done' to challenge the stigma of depression

More must be done by the European Union to tackle the stigma attached to mental health problems.

The comments were made in a discussion at the European parliament, where members said it is important to prevent the issue from being viewed as a weakness.

Former prime minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik opened the discussion, explaining he had experienced depression in the past and the condition is far more common than people think.

"Stigma is the main problem," he claimed.

"We need more public engagement, education and access to smaller mental health institutions."

The discussion included a call for increased levels of awareness, as well as improvements in diagnosis and treatments.

Recent research revealed that people working long hours and overtime are more likely to experience a major depressive episode at some point in their life than those.

People who worked 11-hour days were at double the risk than those only working for seven to eight hours.