Teenagers are brooding. Depression is the leading cause of illness and disability in boys and girls aged 10 to 19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Road accidents come second in the ranking of the main factors of disease, established by the WHO.
After road accidents and AIDS, suicide is the third leading cause of death in this age group worldwide. However, depression can sometimes lead to suicide. Hence the importance of knowing how to spot early the signs of depression in teenagers (withdrawal, fatigue, sadness, loss of appetite, etc.).
This is the first time that the WHO has drawn attention in such detail to mental health problems, which can undermine adolescence. “We hope that this report will draw more attention to the health of 10-19 year olds and that it will serve to trigger accelerated action” on their health problems, underlines Dr Flavia Bustreo, Deputy Director-General for Health women and children at OM, quoted by AFP.
Become aware of possible problems to better prevent them. This is the ambition of the WHO, which recalls that half of people who develop mental disorders present their first symptoms before the age of 14. “By providing the necessary care to adolescents with mental health problems, we prevent deaths, but also suffering throughout their lives”.