Physicians raise alarm over increase in depression
People living with depression have been advised not to hide in shame, bear their burden in silence or take their lives by their own hands, says Dr Akin Moses, President of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON). He gave the advice while speaking to the press to mark the World Family Doctors Day […]
People living with depression have been advised not to hide in shame, bear their burden in silence or take their lives by their own hands, says Dr Akin Moses, President of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON).
He gave the advice while speaking to the press to mark the World Family Doctors Day tagged, “Curbing Depression” at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Akin explained that the 2016 Human Development Index ranking Nigeria 152nd out of 188 countries has seen prevalence of depression increase to more than 7 million people nationwide.
He noted that people with depression do not realise that they have a treatable illness as this is worsened by the fact that most Nigerians are afraid of the stigma associated with having a mental health concern, resulting to the increase rate of depression in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, only one-fifth of those with depression episodes receive any treatment that is minimally adequate, and if not checked and treated, a depressed person has a 20 per cent chance of committing suicide.”
He added that depression plays major role in more than half of all suicide attempts carried out and up to 15 per cent of those that were depressed died by suicide.
Speaking on the triggers of depression, Dr Udo Akinson, a family physician consultant at the National Hospital, attributed triggers of depression to negative life events, such as unemployment, bereavement, financial hardship, childhood abuse, neglect and others, calling on Nigerians to promptly recognize and support those who are at risk of it.
“Depression has an enormous economic impact on the nation," said Akinson, calling on primary care physicians in Nigeria to increase awareness so as to reduce the stigma and negative perception of the ugly scourge.