The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Kogi State Chapter has revealed that 90% of suicide cases reported in Nigeria are associated with depression, just as the association called on government at all levels to create more awareness on how to discourage depression.
Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the Kogi State Acting Chairman of NMA, Dr. Tijani Godwin stated this in Lokoja, Friday April 7, while commenting on this year’s World Health Day with the theme, “Depression, Let’s Talk.”
While noting that not everybody that commits suicide has depression, Dr. Tijani explained that this year’s theme was carefully chosen by the World Health Organization, WHO with the aim of getting help for people with depression across the world.
Dr. Tijani while lauding the initiative, averred that it will help reduce incidences of suicide and its attempt in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Zubair Kabiru of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja revealed that, depression is the 4th largest contributor to global burden of diseases and by 2020 it will be rated second, adding that it is currently rated the highest contributor to disability worldwide.
A Consultant Psychiatrist with the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Dr. Ajogbon Daniel maintained that depression is the major cause of ill health and disability worldwide.
Dr. Ajogbon stated, “nobody wants to come out in this part of the world to report being depressed, hence the need for this year’s theme to encourage people to talk about the way they feel and how best it could be addressed in the society. Globally the latest statistics from WHO says 322 million people are depressed. It is against this backdrop we have to galvanize help, encourage people to talk about the way they feel. If they are depressed is not a crime.”
He highlighted vulnerability, genetics, social, unemployment and reliance on drugs as some of the factors causing depression in the world.
According to Dr. Ajogbon, any person observed with the symptoms of sadness, weakness, loss of weight, disinterest on issues, thought of death, negative thoughts, which is persistence for weeks, should be encouraged to seek help on time because it could be pointing to depression.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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