Depression may be one of the world’s most disabling diseases, suggests a new study, which also found that the condition can make life more difficult for people who suffer from ailments like diabetes, asthma and arthritis.

World Health Organization (WHO) researchers in Geneva, Switzerland examined data on more than 245,000 people in 60 countries. They found that the likelihood of having depression while suffering from a chronic disease was significantly higher than the chance of having depression without having a chronic disease. The study results indicate a greater need for care and screening for depression, as stigma and a lack of awareness about the condition cause many people to go untreated.