Anxiety and Depression they account for 40% of diagnosed mental disorders and percentage rates are highest in the Middle East and North Africa, North America and Western Europe. In some cases, the mental distress is such that it leaves young people feeling like they have no way out. And so suicide is, in the world, one of the top five causes of death between the ages of 15 and 19 but in Western Europe it becomes the second, with 4 cases out of 100 thousand, after road accidents.
The impact on the economy
Diagnosed mental health issues, including ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, depression, eating disorders and schizophrenia, harm children as well as society as a whole. A new analysis from the London School of Economics in the report indicates that the lack of contribution to economies due to mental health problems leading to disability or death among young people is estimated at nearly $ 390 billion annually.
Unicef’s appeal to governments
In the face of this, “governments are investing too little to address these basic needs,” said UNICEF Director General Henrietta Fore. Globally, in fact, about 2% of government health funds are allocated to mental health interventions. “Too little compared to necessity,” warns the report.
Effect of Covid on young people
he says he is depressed According to the UNICEF report, moreover, one in 5 young people between 15 and 24 years of age declare that they often feel depressed or have little interest in carrying out activities. And the very young “could feel the impact of Covid-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come”. Globally, at least 1 in 7 children have been directly affected by lockdowns, while more than 1.6 billion children have lost some of their education due to school closures. Disruption of routine, education, recreational activities, as well as concerns about family income and health, the report explains, makes many young people frightened, angry and worried about their future.
Lockdown and restrictions “It has been 18 long months for all of us, especially the children – says Fore -. With nationwide lockdowns and movement restrictions linked to the pandemic, children have spent indelible years of their lives away from family, friends, from the classrooms, from the game, key elements of childhood itself “. But the impact of the pandemic on mental health “is just the tip of the iceberg. Even before the pandemic – he concludes – too many children were burdened with unaddressed mental health problems.” According to what emerged, therefore, children and young people could feel the impact of Covid on their mental health and well-being for many years to come.