Break down mental illness barriers this Youth Day
The World Health Organisation reported that up to 20 per cent of children experience mental illness.
FOR Youth Day (16 June), Life Healthcare has placed emphasis on being aware of childhood and adolescent mental illness to reduce the stigma and ensure early intervention.
According to the World Health Organisation, 10 to 20 per cent of children and adolescents experience mental illness worldwide. Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s. In addition the National Youth at Risk Survey conducted in South Africa, which focuses on children and adolescents between grade 8 and 11 highlighted that 24 per cent of the youth surveyed had experienced feelings of depression, hopelessness and sadness while a further 21 per cent had attempted suicide at least once.
“A starting point to reduce stigma is with the child and family. When adults accept mental illnesses, it becomes easier for them to talk to others in their immediate social network, neighbourhood and community. The knowledge that mental illness is fairly common and affects anyone helps break the barrier of stigma,” said Dr Ismail Moola, child psychiatrist at Life St Joseph’s based at Life Entabeni Hospital.
The most common mental health issues faced by young people in South Africa relate to:
1. The use, misuse, or abuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs.
2. Exposure to various forms of violence and sexual abuse.
3. The effects of the HIV epidemic on their parents and families.
4. Teenage pregnancies.
5. Adjustment disorders such as divorce, or a change of schools.
While children may exhibit signs of mental illness, it’s important that a mental health professional (psychiatrist and clinical psychologist) makes a full assessment before the appropriate measures are put in place to help manage their illness.
The mental health of parents must also be considered when tackling childhood mental illness. Unfortunately, families, professionals and society often pay most attention to the mentally ill parent, and ignore the children in the family. Providing more attention and support to the children of parents with mental illness is an important consideration when treating the parent.
“Individual or family psychiatric treatment can help a child toward healthy development, despite the presence of parental psychiatric illness. The mental health professional can help the family work with the positive elements in the home and the natural strengths of the child. With treatment, the family can learn ways to lessen the effects of the parent’s mental illness on the child,” concluded Dr Moola.
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