By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Coordinating Minister of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate has called for the prioritization of the pressing needs of the mental health of adolescents.
The Minister stated that today there is a prevalence in cases of mental health disorders among adolescents, such as depression, anxiety and others, which are on the rise, adding that many young people are suffering in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness and insufficient access to care.
The minister disclosed this as during the commemoration of the 2024 Adolescent Week in Nigeria.
According to the minister, to break this silence, the health ministry has established the National Mental Health programme to roll out policies to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma and to provide affected adolescents the needed support and care.
“Mental health must be treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health,” he added.
Also, Prof. Pate disclosed that to proffered measures to improve the health of adolescents, the Ministry has embraced the Sector-Wide Approach Program (SWAp) and National Health Sector Investment Initiative (NHSII) to ensure no one is left behind.
The minister further explained that the ministry has health programmes and policies on Adolescents to address their sexual reproductive health rights , Adolescent, and youth friendly services in addition to Adolescents Girls Initiative and learning education.
