World Mental Health Day
By
Hala Sakr
THE THEME of this year's World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, was "Emotional and behavioural disorders of children and adolescents"; a continuation of last year's focus on the effects of trauma and violence on the mental and emotional well-being of young people.
To mark the occasion, the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) held a meeting in Cairo last Sunday to discuss the various aspects of mental disorders of children and adolescents in the region. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) has also launched a global programme on children's mental health.
WHO statistics show that up to 20 per cent of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from disabling mental illnesses and suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents globally. The roots of major depressive disorders often reside in adolescence, and are associated with substantial psycho-social impairment and risk of suicide.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, one third of the population living against a backdrop of conflicts, turmoil and military occupation is under 15 years old. These children continue to suffer the heavy toll of violence and trauma on daily basis. In Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia children's mental well-being has become a matter of grave concern. The impact of war can continue for years after the actual fighting has stopped.
According to Hussein Gezairy, EMRO's regional director, in Sudan mental health problems have significantly increased despite improvements in living standards and physical health for children.
A study assessing the mental health of Palestinian mothers and children in the Gaza Strip shows that nine-18-year-old children experienced, on average, four traumatic events in their lifetimes. One third of them reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Perhaps the recent focus on long-neglected children's mental health issues will draw the world's attention to the inhuman circumstances which children are exposed to in the region and other areas of the world.
