Agency A Clinical psychologist, Dr. Adedotun Ajiboye, has urged communities nationwide to prioritise adolescent mental health, highlighting it as a major health concern. Ajiboye, who works with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja that the advocacy was necessary as one in five adolescents experienced mental health disorders.
Ajiboye, who spoke against the backdrop of International Adolescent Health Week, said data revealed that 31.9 per cent of adolescents had anxiety disorders while 14.3 per cent suffered from depression.
He added that 17. 2 per cent of high school students had suicidal thoughts/attempts. Ajiboye said some risk factors included a family history of mental health disorders, social media and technology overuse, and peer pressure and bullying.
Other risk factors, he said, were academic stress and expectations, trauma caused by abuse, neglect, or loss, social isolation and loneliness as well as substance abuse. Ajiboye said changes in mood, appetite or sleep patterns, social withdrawal or avoidance, decreased interest in activities, difficulty concentrating or completing tasks and increased irritability or aggression were warning signs to look out for in adolescents. “Adolescence (ages 10-19) is a critical phase of rapid physical, emotional and social changes.
“Mental health during this period significantly impacts their future well-being and development. “Adolescent mental health req.
