Expert Warns On Rising Mental Health Problems In Nigeria

As Nigeria’s economy takes a deep in the last two years, a neuro-scientist, has raised an alarm over the worsening mental problems amongst the populace.
Professor Blessing Jaja told The Tide that there is a high rise in drug use among youths and stress among middle aged population in the country.
Jaja who is neuro-scientist at the Rivers State University Medical College said, “the major problem is drug use among youths as a coping mechanism.”
He expressed worry that youths these days have poor coping mechanism, hence have adopted drugs to assist them as he warned that the situation has damaging effects and is capable of affecting productivity.
The university don observed that stress and cardiovascular problems was also rising among the middle aged and aged population, noting that the quest to meet up with the rising economic crunch is having a heavy toll on the citizens.
In his words, “ at middle age, the major challenge is stress from marital problems, extended family, pressure from work and these can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, insomnia and at the extreme, stroke”.
He continued, “for those 60 years and above there are issues like senility, anxiety and sometimes depression.”
On how the situation could be managed, Jaja stressed the need for youths to learn stress coping skills since that will reduce drug use and improve their creativity.
“ I think the solution should be holistic,”. We have to take our health seriously. We should understand that the brain is an end organ that can be affected by stroke, including other organs like the heart and the kidney.”
In the same vein, the professor has cautioned on parents to watch out for depression symptoms in their children.
The neuro-science specialist emphasized that children also face depression such as when they begin to be withdrawn, not eating, avoid school, not playing with other children and is moody.

By: Kevin Nengia