1 in 6 young Nigerians suffering from poor mental health – Report

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

A latest report released by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), has revealed that one out of every six young Nigerians aged 15- 24 is suffering from poor mental health.

The report titled “The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health”, disclosed that the survey was conducted in 21 countries including Nigeria.

The UN body noted in the report that one in six young Nigerians surveyed said they often feel depressed, have little interest in doing things, or are worried, nervous, or anxious.

UNICEF said, its most comprehensive look at the mental health of children, adolescents and caregivers in the 21st century even before COVID-19, children and young people carried the burden of mental health conditions without significant investment in addressing them.

According to the latest available estimates, more than 1 in 7 adolescents aged 10–19 is estimated to live with a diagnosed mental health problem globally.

Almost 46,000 adolescents die from suicide each year, among the top five causes of death for their age group.

Meanwhile, wide gaps persist between mental health needs and mental health funding.

The report finds that about 2 per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending globally.

Speaking on the development, UNICEF Representative to Nigeria Peter Hawkins said, “It has been a long 18 months for us all, especially children. With the nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions in Nigeria, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, classrooms, play – key elements of childhood itself.

“They have also suffered an increase in violence and abuse, especially girl children.

“Even before the pandemic, far too many children were burdened under the weight of unaddressed mental health issues. This has been compounded by the pandemic. The impact is significant, and it is sadly just the tip of the iceberg”,.

Available statistics show that almost 46,000 adolescents die from suicide each year globally, which is among the top five causes of death for their age group.

According to the report titled “The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health”, UNICEF said the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on children and young people. It warned that this impact has reached the “tip of the iceberg.”

UNICEF also said young Nigerians could feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come.

The Agency further noted that even before COVID-19, children and young people carried the burden of mental health conditions without significant investment in addressing them.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative said, “It has been a long 18 months for us all– especially children. With the nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions in Nigeria, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, classrooms, play – key elements of childhood itself. They have also suffered an increase in violence and abuse, especially girls children.

“Even before the pandemic, far too many children were burdened under the weight of unaddressed mental health issues. This has been compounded by the pandemic. The impact is significant, and it is sadly just the tip of the iceberg,” Hawkins added.

The report added that as COVID-19 heads into its third year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health and well-being continues to weigh heavily.

Quoting the latest available data from UNICEF, it said, globally, at least 1 in 7 children has been directly affected by lockdowns, while more than 1.6 billion children have suffered some loss of education.

The disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income and health, is leaving many young people feeling afraid, angry, and concerned for their future.

While the impact on children’s lives is incalculable, a new analysis by the London School of Economics in the report indicates that lost contribution to economies due to mental health problems that lead to disability or death among young people is estimated at nearly $390 billion a year.

They called on governments, public and private sector partners, to commit, communicate and act to promote mental health for all children, adolescents and the most vulnerable.

It added that this can be achieved through, “investing in child and adolescent mental health across sectors, not just in health, to support a whole-of-society approach to prevention, promotion and care.

“Integrating and scaling up evidence-based interventions across health, education and social protection sectors – including parenting programmes that promote responsive, nurturing caregiving and support parent and caregiver mental health; and ensuring schools support mental health through quality services and positive relationships.

“Breaking the silence surrounding mental illness, through addressing stigma and promoting better understanding of mental health and taking seriously the experiences of children and young people”.