50 PERCENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS BEGINS AT AGE 14, SAYS PSYCHIATRIST

The Medical Director also lamented that harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents had become worrisome development globally, which he stated could lead to risky behaviours such as unsafe sex, dangerous driving and crimes. 

He said, mental illness in adolescents portends short and long term dangers for the nation’s economy, society, families and communities, and posited that efforts should be geared towards building mental resilience and prevents mental distress and illness among young adults.

Penpushing also reports that, the Director, appealed to the government to invest in programmes capable of developing and promoting healthy mental health of the young people, adding thus, “investment by governments and the involvement of the social, health, education sectors and the media in comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based programmes for the mental health of young people is essential’. 

He added, “This investment should be linked to programmes to raise awareness among adolescents and young adults on ways to look after their mental health, and to help peers, parents and teachers know how to support their friends, children and students”.