INTRODUCTION
Depression is a pandemic that has plagued the world since time immemorial, and it has many implications. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a leading cause of disability and affects 5% of the world’s population. The prevalence of depression has reportedly been on the rise since COVID-19 possibly due to the stress, loneliness, and reduced ability to work occasioned by the pandemic.1 Depression is not only a major contributor to the global burden of disease but also a major cause of suicide, which claims nearly one million lives annually and is the fourth leading cause of death in individuals aged 15 – 29 years.2, 3