Data on feelings of depression in the Dutch population are based on Statistics Netherlands health survey. The question referring to these feelings is ‘Has there ever been a period during which you felt continually sombre or depressed for at least 2 weeks?’ If the respondent answers ‘yes’, he/she is then asked ‘Have you experienced such a period in the last 12 months?’ The question is put to all respondents aged 12 years and older. In general the most recent results (2012) are used, but to be able to provide a breakdown into smaller population groups, such as those based on ethnic origin, more data are necessary. Therefore several years (2006-2012) are taken together. As the heath survey is a sample survey, the results are subject to a margin of error.
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