NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag WHOdepression

Health

WHO harps on depression

WHO counsels on depression
By Yashim Katurak
Depression
Abuja, April 16, 2018 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised individuals who think they are heading for depression to talk to someone they trust or seek professional help.
According to the organisation’s Twitter handle @WHOAFRO, depression is not a sign of weakness but something that could happen to anybody.
WHO said that the life changes that came with ageing could lead to depression, therefore the condition was common in older people.
The organisation said this was however often overlooked and untreated, calling on youths to try and live positive lives in order to prevent depression whey they grew old.
According to WHO, depression can be treated; the first step is talking, saying: “If you think you have depression seek help.’’
It said that the condition was treatable with talking therapies or antidepressant medication or a combination of these.
“There is a lot that you can do to keep mentally strong. If you feel that you may be heading for depression, talk to someone you trust or seek professional help.
“If you live with someone with depression, you can help them recover but you need to take care of yourself to,” WHO said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the world health body has continued to raise awareness on the need for countries to give more focus to prevention and treatment of depression.
This awareness stems from concerns on the fact that the condition has become one of the main causes of death among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.
According to WHO, half of all mental health disorders in adulthood start by age 14, but most cases are undetected and untreated.
It says that more than 3,000 adolescents die every day largely from preventable causes such as suicide, road traffic injuries, pneumonia, drowning and diarrhoea diseases.

The signs and symptoms of depression can include loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, withdrawing from close family and friends, relying on alcohol and sedatives and unable to concentrate.
Others are feeling tired all the time, headache and muscle pains, sleep problems, loss or change of appetite and significant weight loss or gain.
These signs may defer from individual to individual hence the need to seek professional help. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

World Health Day: Experts harps on proper management of depression

World Health Day: Experts harps on proper management of depression

NAN-HG-7

Health

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 7, 2017 (NAN) Dr Olusola Ephraim-Oluwanuga, Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, National Hospital Abuja, on Friday said improper management of challenges of life could lead to depression.

Ephraim-Oluwanuga said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja to commemorate the 2017 World Health Day, with the theme “Let’s talk Depression”.

According to him, depression is a common and serious mental illness that negatively affects the way one feel, think and act.

“It is good to talk when feeling depressed, the stigma, the secrecy about mental health issues is much, it does not allow people depressed to open up to talk with bridging people’s confidence.

“People who are depressed would rather prefer to talk to someone they have confidence in than someone that gossip about them,” he said.

The expert said a depressed person sharing their challenges with a psychiatrist or family members could bring relief.

He said depression causes mental anguish and impacts on people’s ability to carry out consequences for relationships with family and friends.

Ephraim-Oluwanuga said some of the symptoms of depression include change in appetite, sex, loss of energy and feeling worthless.

He said depression can vary from mild or severe, adding that with proper diagnosis and treatment the vast majority of people with depression would overcome it.

Dr Ada Ikeako, a Consultant Psychiatrist in a private hospital in Abuja, said sadness was only a small part of depression.

“Some people with depression may not feel sad at all. Depression has many other symptoms, including physical ones.

“If you have been experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

“Persistent sadness, anxiety or `empty’ mood feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities,” Ikeako said.

She said when depression gets severe one needs to consult a professional.

NAN reports that the World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 of every year. (NAN) OEO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

World Health Day: WHO says depression affects 322m people worldwide

World Health Day: WHO says depression affects 322m people worldwide

NAN-HG-51

WHO

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, April 6, 2017 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) says depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide is affecting about 322 million people.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said this in a statement to mark this year’s World Health Day in Abuja on Thursday.

Moeti said in the African region alone, close to 30 million people suffer from depression.

He said everyone was at risk of developing the disorder as it affected people of all ages, from all works of life and in all countries, adding that it is currently a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.

She therefore called on countries to support mental health programmes by allocating adequate human and financial resources to respond to this growing burden.

“Depression is an illness characterised by persistent sadness, loss of interest and ability to perform daily activities for a period of over two weeks.

“It is associated with feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, tiredness and poor concentration.

“Major causes of depression include loss of loved ones or relationships, poverty, unemployment, physical illnesses, alcohol abuse, drug use and traumatic situations such as violence and war.

“As we commemorate World Health Day, I appeal to Member States to include mental health in their national health development agenda.

“The Brazzaville Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases states the necessary steps for achieving this.

“More broadly, governments, partners and civil society can work together to bring depression out of the shadows in the Region.

“WHO is committed to supporting countries to address it as an important public health problem.

“Resources to prevent, identify and treat mental health problems such as depression are very scarce.

“The African Region has a critical shortage of qualified professionals for mental health, with just one psychiatrist per one million people and a similar number of psychologists.

“The mental health workforce of psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers is woefully inadequate.

“Lack of availability of psychotropic medicines, proper information with well-structured psychotherapy and other effective measures for primary healthcare services to treat depression is cause for concern,” Moeti said.

She said that this condition at worst, could lead to suicide, which was the second leading cause of death in 15 to 29 year olds globally.

The regional director said depression varied by age, peaking in older adults aged 55 to 74 years but also occurring in children and adolescents.

She said if left untreated, depression could be recurrent, long-lasting and debilitating as it impairs an individual’s ability to cope with daily activities, and could have devastating consequences for relationships with families and friends.

She therefore reiterated the urgent need to prevent and treat those affected by this serious and complex mental health condition, adding that those affected faced significant stigma and fear of isolation which prevented them from seeking help.

According to Moeti, simply talking about depression can help prevent it by breaking down stigma.

“Seeking help by talking with trusted people can be a first step towards recovery,’’ the director said.

She said that early recognition of the symptoms was key to preventing depression from becoming a chronic illness.

“Developing community-based services which focus on depression and talk out against stigma will encourage more people to seek treatment.

“This can be done by having conversations about depression the same way we do with any other disease.

“School-based programmes which provide counseling and support persons with depression and their families, as well as early detection and prevention especially among children and youths, are also strategies to keep depression at bay.

“Individuals, families, caregivers and communities can take steps to help prevent depression by avoiding stressful situations, alcohol abuse and drug use.

“Maintaining a proper diet and physical activity can improve wellbeing and can prevent depression. Depression is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early. Let’s talk about it,” Moeti urged.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation.

This year, the theme is “Depression, let’s talk” to draw attention to the global burden of this common mental disorder. (NAN)

KRY/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola