COVID-19:  Anxiety, Depression Unsettle More  Young Nigerians – UNICEF 

One in six young people in Nigeria is  struggling with depression on account of COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 State of the World’s Children by United Nations Education Fund,UNICEF,has said .

Nigeria,the report said is   among  21 global countries, where children and adults are trapped in mental health problems due to COVID-19 impact

It added that children and young people carried the burden of mental health conditions without significant investment in addressing them, the report disclosed.

The report titled, ‘State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health’ which is UNICEF’s most comprehensive look at the mental health of children, adolescents and caregivers in the 21st century, even before COVID-19 confirmed this.

It added that children and young people could feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come, the  UNICEF  flagship report warned on Tuesday.

According to the report,one in six young people aged 15-24 surveyed in Nigeria said they often feel depressed, have little interest in doing things, or are worried, nervous or anxious.

 The report which was conveyed in a statement A signed by Anike Alli-Hakeem, Communication Officer, Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reads:”The latest available estimates, more than one  in seven adolescents aged from  10 to19 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 two per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending globally”.

It his comment, 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 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,” said Hawkins.