ByKhadijah Kolapo
Dr Ayotunde Omotoso, a consultant psychiatrist and a lecturer in the University of Ilorin has emphasized the importance of research and the practical involvement of young people in mental health interventions.
He made this call at the August edition of the Interactive Monthly Community Engagement (IMCE) series themed “Youth and the changing mental health needs of today’s world” organized by Asido foundation which held on the 13th in commemoration of the International Youth Day.
“If we do not know how many we are, it will be difficult to appropriate resources for mental health needs. There is also a treatment gap – Many people who require mental health care do not have access to it. This requires that such services be scaled up”, he stated.
While research and dissemination of information about mental health has increased in the last decade, it is still not up to the required level especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LAMIC) like Nigeria. Dr Omotosho mentioned the ways in which organisations like “Yours mindfully” which he founded, and Asido foundation which also has a chapter in University of Ibadan are helping to bridge that gap.
According to him, young persons are at the age where they are still trying to figure out their identity and this predisposes them to mental health problems. Other factors include technological advancements especially social media which forms a basis for comparison with a wide range of people, and COVID-19.
He also said that getting the right kind of support which starts with getting the right information will help in managing mental health problems. Youth can help by receiving, providing and informing people about mental health care.
“Mental health symptoms differ in youths and older people. For instance, depression in youth might manifest as anger, crankiness, spending too much time on the internet while for adults, it might just be a drop in their mood.”
In response to a question asked by one of the audience, he said that though anxiety could be a symptom of mental illness, a certain level of anxiety is in fact necessary for optimum performance. Anxiety disorder is however a mental health problem, he explained.
