Abstract:

Silent yet sinister, depression is an age-long illness that affects millions of people all over the world. This study investigated the prevalence of depression amongst healthcare professionals in a tertiary psychiatric healthcare institution in Southwest, Nigeria. Using purposive and stratified sampling techniques, 213 healthcare professionals completed Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), a 21-item self-report questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicate a significant relationship between specific demographic variables and depression. The study records a high incidence of depression across gender, age, marital status, profession, and grade level. As both physical and mental health are integral to the performance of healthcare professionals, the paper explores diverse implications. Broad-based interventions and policy recommendations are presented in the light of Nigeria’s evolving public healthcare sector.