A youth organisation, Young Leaders Rights and Patriotic Initiative of Nigeria (YLRPIN), has said that recent reports have placed Nigeria 5th highest country in the world with depression and suicide incidents.
YLRPIN made this known in its recent meeting in March, saying considering the prevalent rate of depression and suicide in Nigeria, especially among the youth, it has taken it upon itself to enlighten the populace on the dangers and possible prevention of the malady.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, YLRPIN said it is an unacceptable tag that the country should begin to look for solutions to combat the scourge, saying that from the reported cases in recent times, depression, a catalyst to suicide, is affecting Nigerian youths.
“Though many believe depression and suicide to be spiritually inclined, they have affected the total wellbeing of Nigerians as well as their productivity which has impacted on the nation negatively.”
Highlighting factors that could fuel the malaise to include domestic violence, alcoholism, seclusion and ignorance among others, the organisation, therefore, called on young professionals to come together to proffer solutions to the menace.
It said: “Often times people tend to practicalise what they see and hear. There is so much to this act of suicide that the victims never get to know, until it becomes too late for them.
“Medically speaking, there are hormone imbalances which pressure victims into this act, and counselling, attention and interactions are the antidote for suspecting victims of depression and suicide and helping them out of the predicament.
“Unemployment and underemployment largely contribute the high rate of depression among the Nigerian youths also.”
