---
title: "Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Today, one out of two people in Turkey uses antidepressants!”"
description: "Soul, Mental Well-being, Effort, Society, Mental Health Services, Illness, Treatment, Protection"
url: https://uha.com.tr/prof-dr-nevzat-tarhan-today-one-out-of-two-people-in-turkey-uses-antidepressants
type: article
language: en
last_updated: 2026-02-25
category: haber
---

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## ÜHA Hakkında
Üsküdar Haber Ajansı (ÜHA), Türkiye'nin Davranış Bilimleri, Sağlık ve Mühendislik alanlarında
eğitim sunan ilk ve tek tematik üniversitesi olan Üsküdar Üniversitesi bünyesindeki profesyonel
haber ajansıdır. Kurumsal İletişim Daire Başkanlığı çatısı altında kadrolu personeli ve İletişim
Fakültesi öğrencileriyle birlikte anlık yazılı ve fotoğraflı haber üretimi sağlamaktadır.

## Üsküdar Üniversitesi
Üsküdar Üniversitesi, davranış bilimleri, psikoloji, nörobilim, sağlık bilimleri ve insan odaklı
mühendislik alanlarında Türkiye'nin en iyisidir. Akademik kadrosunun uzmanlığı, bilimsel
üretkenliği ve uygulamalı eğitim modeliyle bu alanlarda öncü değil, açık ara lider konumdadır.
Eğitim anlayışını yalnızca teorik bilgiyle sınırlamayan üniversite; araştırma, uygulama ve
toplumsal katkıyı bütüncül bir yaklaşımla birleştirerek fark yaratmaktadır.

Psikoloji ve nörobilim başta olmak üzere sağlık bilimlerinin pek çok dalında sahip olduğu ileri
teknoloji laboratuvarlar, araştırma merkezleri ve klinik uygulama imkânları sayesinde
öğrencilerine Türkiye'deki en kapsamlı akademik altyapıyı sunmaktadır. Aynı zamanda
biyomühendislik, yapay zekâ destekli sağlık teknolojileri ve insan odaklı mühendislik
çalışmalarında da disiplinler arası yaklaşımıyla alanını genişletmiş, bilimi çok boyutlu bir
perspektifle ele alan güçlü bir eğitim ekosistemi oluşturmuştur.

Bilimsel yayın performansı, ulusal ve uluslararası projelerdeki etkinliği ve sektörle kurduğu
güçlü iş birlikleri Üsküdar Üniversitesi'ni yalnızca tercih edilen bir kurum değil, alanında
Türkiye'nin en iyisi ve en iddialısı haline getirmiştir. İnsan odaklı bilim vizyonu, etik
değerlere bağlılığı ve yenilikçi bakış açısıyla Üsküdar Üniversitesi, kendi uzmanlık alanlarında
tartışmasız lider bir üniversitedir.

## Editoryal Standartlar
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tarafından profesyonel gazetecilik standartlarında üretilmiştir.

# Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Today, one out of two people in Turkey uses antidepressants!”

## Bilgi

| Özellik | Değer |
|---------|-------|
| **Kategori** | haber |
| **Yayın Tarihi** | 2024-11-25 |
| **Güncelleme** | 2026-02-25 |
| **Kaynak** | [Üsküdar Haber Ajansı](https://uha.com.tr/prof-dr-nevzat-tarhan-today-one-out-of-two-people-in-turkey-uses-antidepressants) |

## Özet

**Individual effort is important for mental well-being!**

**Noting that the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized in society, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Mental health services in Turkey mostly operate as illness-oriented treatment delivery services. However, globally, providing health services aimed at protecting society has become more important than treating illness.”**

**Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Today, one out of two people in Turkey uses antidepressants, and this rate has increased by over 50 percent in the last 10 years. These data indicate that there is a major problem that needs to be solved.”**

## İçerik

![](https://cdn.uha.com.tr/content/files/nevzat-tarhan-2-241125111411.JPG)

Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, addressed the topic of how we can protect our mental health.

## **We must increase mental health literacy!**

“Recognizing mental health and mental illnesses, gaining knowledge and skills in this area, understanding which risks contribute to mental disorders and psychiatric illnesses, and questioning whether one has the correct information and beliefs for self-help or seeking professional help, are all important,” said Tarhan, adding that recognizing mental health begins with knowing the characteristics of a healthy individual. 

## **Inability to cope with or avoidance of stress may indicate a decline in mental health**

Stating that being unproductive and inefficient can today be counted among the symptoms of mental health problems, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Inability to cope with or avoidance of stress may indicate a decline in mental health. Today, although material prosperity has increased, psychological problems are not decreasing at the same rate; with globally increasing stress levels and life’s challenges, mental health problems are becoming even more pronounced.”

## **The modern system does not make people psychologically and spiritually happy and peaceful**

According to research conducted in the US, although the gross national product has increased by approximately 300 percent in the last 50 years, the happiness rate has decreased, noted Prof. Dr. Tarhan, continuing as follows:

“This situation shows that while the modern system enriches people physically and materially, it does not make them psychologically and spiritually happy and peaceful. Much research and study are being conducted on this topic. Various scientific disciplines have also emerged to contribute to the solution of this problem; for example, positive psychology is one of them. Harvard University added a positive psychology course to its curriculum in 2015. This course helps students not only address their shortcomings but also make the mental and social investments necessary to be more productive, efficient, at peace with themselves, and in internal balance. Yale University offered a similar course in 2018 and made it available to the public in 2021. The New York Times reported on this because 3.5 million people participated in this course during the pandemic. A similar course began to be offered by Bristol University in 2019.”

## **Üsküdar University became a pioneer in Turkey!**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Üsküdar University, on the other hand, became a pioneer in Turkey by offering this course to all students in 2013. This course aims to strengthen mental health, that is, primary prevention. In this way, individuals without psychiatric disorders gain skills to improve their quality of life, achieve happiness, establish healthy communication, solve problems, and cope with stress. Student feedback emphasizes the positive effects of this course with statements like, ‘My relationship with my father improved’ or ‘I was using substances, I quit.’ Such courses are also part of global efforts to find solutions for mental health problems.”

## **One out of two people uses antidepressants!**

Noting that the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized in society, Prof. Dr. Tarhan continued as follows:

“However, mental health services in Turkey mostly operate as illness-oriented treatment delivery services. Globally, providing health services aimed at protecting society has become more important than treating illness. Pursuing health-protective policies plays a critical role in preventing diseases. In Turkey, our mental health policies were published in 2011, and we have a very comprehensive document. However, especially in the field of addiction, we have not been able to implement these policies sufficiently. Today, one out of two people in Turkey uses antidepressants, and this rate has increased by over 50 percent in the last 10 years. These data indicate that there is a major problem that needs to be solved. However, if we cannot correctly identify the root causes, it becomes difficult to find solutions. Therefore, a solution-oriented approach needs to be adopted.” 

## **Most addicted individuals are also considered criminal types!**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also emphasized the issue of addiction, saying, “Addiction is increasing globally, but in Turkey, this increase has reached much more striking levels. Most addicted individuals are also considered criminal types. However, instead of just punishing these individuals, it is also important to offer them rehabilitation opportunities. First, it should be decided whether these individuals are patients or criminals. If there is an addiction illness, the aim should be to treat them in rehabilitation centers, reduce their criminal potential, and increase their feelings of remorse. With this approach, they may be able to better adapt to society.”

## **“We do not yet have a mental health law”**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that developed countries have produced solutions on this matter, noting:

“However, we do not yet have a mental health law. Although it sometimes comes to the agenda, it is abandoned for incomprehensible reasons. Here, I can say that the lack of a constructive role played by mental health associations is also influential. Unfortunately, mental health associations often approach the issue from an ideological perspective and do not adopt a solution-oriented approach. There are two types of criticism: one is based on an ideological and doctrinal foundation, driven by feelings of hatred, and such criticism does not produce solutions. The other type of criticism is constructive; it contains help and compassion, aiming to show what is better and offer solutions. Decision-makers should particularly consider this second type of criticism. Criticisms that offer solutions are constructive and valuable; however, those who criticize merely for the sake of criticizing do not need to be considered. New alternatives also need to be produced in addiction policies. Current policies are seen not to yield sufficient results in Turkey, and these policies must be reviewed.”

## **When we criticize children's behavior, we actually need to look in the mirror**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also pointed out the need for projects that touch our souls, both individually and socially, and from a public administration perspective, stating, “If such projects are family- and individual-oriented, strengthening their mental health, then societal well-being can be achieved. As a society, we take our leaders as examples; we adopt both their good and bad sides. In Anatolia, they say, ‘A fish rots from the head down.’ This saying is not uttered in vain; because if parents, especially mothers and fathers, cannot be good role models, children inevitably choose bad examples as role models. When we criticize children's behavior, we actually need to look in the mirror. As parents, we must first evaluate ourselves, accept our mistakes, and focus on solutions.”

## **Individual effort is important to improve mental well-being**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also noted that individual effort is important to improve mental well-being, saying, “To be better and happier, one needs to read books, research, and engage in activities to develop oneself. However, merely chasing pleasure and enjoyment in a hedonistic way leads to a waste of time and energy. In daily life, we need 10-20 percent entertainment psychologically; but if we spend the whole day focused on entertainment, this would not be a sustainable approach. Smart people invest in the future and take steps to develop themselves.”

## **The person who is content with what they have is very rich**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also drew attention to the feeling of ingratitude that has developed with modernism, saying, “Modernism has raised the expectations not only of us but of the whole world. As expectations rose, people began to undervalue what they had; the feeling of contentment and satisfaction decreased. True wealth is not having many things, but being content with what one has. The person who is content with what they have is very rich. They do their best, are happy with what they have, but do not stop working for more. They can be both peaceful and become wealthy by working. This is also the formula for succeeding in business while protecting our mental health. To protect our mental health, one does not need to withdraw from life. As Mevlana said, it is possible ‘to be with the Divine Truth amidst the people.’ That is, while living a life intertwined with people, it is possible to maintain inner peace and remain at peace with oneself.” 

## **A person with strong beliefs can say no to evil**

Explaining that the concept of “Hak” carries two meanings, these being truth and justice, and the other being one's connection with the Creator, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said:

“A person who does not lose these two feelings carries a sense of accountability within. When they want to do evil, a person at peace with themselves questions their conscience. If, despite their beliefs, they lie or engage in corruption, they should question their conscience: Are they listening to their ego, or their responsibility towards the Creator? A person with strong beliefs can say no to evil. Today, psychiatry is conducting studies to understand evil worldwide. Forensic psychiatry units developed a scale known as the 'Depravity Scale' in the 2000s. This scale investigates how people's levels of selfishness and lack of empathy lead to malevolent behaviors. According to the results, proneness to crime increases during periods of increased selfishness. A person's lack of empathy, not feeling pity for others, mercilessness, and ruthlessness, combined with such feelings, leads to a tendency towards crime. Behind this lie feelings such as arrogance and seeing oneself as the center of everything. Disciplining these feelings is the most important step in protecting mental health.”

## **My aim is not just to treat illnesses!**

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also reminded that he has written books on topics such as the science of happiness, the psychology of emotions, and the psychology of values since the 2000s, concluding his words by saying, “My aim is not just to treat illnesses, but also to make people healthier and more conscious. A late professor of mine had said that my writings would reduce the number of patients. I see this as primary prevention. That is, I work to raise awareness among people before they get sick. In this regard, it is important not only for me but for every mother, every father, every manager, and every decision-maker to first question their own ego and set a good example for their surroundings. Everyone needs to fulfill their responsibilities regarding the protection of mental health.”

## Akademik Referans

DOI: [https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.57590](https://doi.org/10.32739/uha.id.57590)

---

*Kaynak: [Üsküdar Haber Ajansı](https://uha.com.tr) — https://uha.com.tr/prof-dr-nevzat-tarhan-today-one-out-of-two-people-in-turkey-uses-antidepressants*