There is a growing understanding that today’s adolescents live in a more dynamic world, where they are subjected to a greater number of social, economic, and environmental stresses. Because of this, discussions regarding mental health among young people are typically met with skepticism or, worse, outright ignorance, and this is no different in Nigeria.
The typical age when mental health difficulties begin in kids is 14 years, according to the National Institutes of Health. Young people are more likely to get involved with substance misuse and despair. Hence, suicide has become more prevalent in Nigeria. An increase in reports and media attention is a clear indication of rising problems among youth. As a result, the WHO’s 2018 Mental Health Campaign, which is a particularly pertinent one, has gained a lot of attention.
Mental Health and Social Media
Many life transitions take place between puberty and the formative days of adulthood. Some prominent life changes include switching schools, moving away from home, and beginning school or a new career. This is an exciting moment for many people. There also may be periods of anxiety and worry.
Social media has also become one of the major reasons for mental health issues in Nigeria. According to an ExpressVPN’s study on Gen Z conducted in cooperation with Pollfish, 1,500 Americans in Generation Z (ages 16 to 24) were polled to learn how social media use affects the generation’s mental well-being as well as their privacy when using the web.
86 percent of respondents stated that social media has an influence on their happiness. For the most part, young adults believe that social media has negatively influenced their well-being, including their sense of self-worth, which has led to anxiety issues.
The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Lagos treated 22, 793 children and adolescents between 2013 and 2017 for a variety of mental health concerns. Children comprised the majority of the patients in this case.
People with mental health issues have a variety of symptoms that influence their mental and emotional well-being.
Many young people have a tough time dealing with the mental issues like:
- Anxiety disorders (such as anxiety, panic attacks)
- Eating disorders (such as anorexia, bulimia)
- Stress- and trauma-related illnesses (such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD)
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Drug and alcohol misuse
- Self-inflicted wounds
Changes in the brain’s structure and functioning and sometimes the environment as well, are considered to be the core causes of mental health problems.
It is difficult for people in Nigeria to seek help for mental health problems because of the stigma surrounding mental illness. Mental health problems are not properly addressed because of spiritual assaults, the scarcity of trained mental health professionals, and the lack of government policy and investment in the field. However, this does not negate the reality that people with mental health issues should receive proper treatment.
Mental health challenges in youth must be addressed by raising awareness and taking action to prevent them. In order to assist and care for children with mental health concerns, parents, caregivers, and school administrators must make necessary efforts to educate themselves on the subject matter. The ability to deal with the pressures of adult life is one of the most important skills that can be taught to children.
Conclusion
Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from adversity, including stress, suffering, trauma, and other life events. Despite the difficulties of life, it is critical to educate young people on effective coping strategies, adaptation, and perseverance, as well as how to develop long-term objectives and a strategy for success.
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