A clinical psychologist, Adedotun Ajiboye, has called on communities across Nigeria to prioritize adolescent mental health, labeling it a significant public health issue. Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, Ajiboye, who is affiliated with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, emphasized the urgent need for awareness and action, noting that one in five adolescents faces mental health disorders.
His comments coincided with the observance of International Adolescent Health Week. According to Ajiboye, recent data indicates that 31.9% of adolescents suffer from anxiety disorders, while 14.3% experience depression. Alarmingly, he reported that 17.2% of high school students have contemplated or attempted suicide.
Ajiboye identified several risk factors contributing to these issues, including a family history of mental health conditions, excessive use of social media and technology, peer pressure, and bullying. He also pointed to academic stress, trauma from abuse or neglect, social isolation, and substance abuse as contributing factors.
Warning signs for adolescents facing mental health challenges include mood swings, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating, and increased irritability or aggression.
To support adolescents, Ajiboye outlined various intervention strategies, such as medication management, peer support groups, online resources, and hotlines. He recommended promoting open communication, emotional expression, and social connections as vital strategies for fostering mental well-being.
Other preventive measures he suggested include encouraging healthy coping mechanisms like exercise and mindfulness, monitoring technology use, and providing mental health education in schools.
Ajiboye stressed the importance of the roles played by parents, educators, and healthcare professionals in nurturing adolescent mental health.
International Adolescent Health Week, observed annually from October 7 to October 13, aims to enhance the health and well-being of over one billion adolescents worldwide. The theme for 2024 is “Thriving, not Just Surviving: Building Adolescents’ Resilience,” which encourages communities to support adolescents in their transition into adulthood.
