Depression To Lead Illness Cause By 2030
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 12, 2016 15:30
Speaking during the launch of Embrace Emotions Support Network (EESN) NGO, which deals with mental health problems, Charles said that currently depression is the second leading cause of burden among all diseases. The EESN regitered in June 2016, was commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day.
“Mental disorders account for 12% of global disease burden. Suicide cases come from depression. Approximately 3.7percent of Batswana live with mental illness ranging from mild to severe. This comes from a 2003 health survey 2003 and the statistics must have grown due to cases of drugs,” Charles said.
He added that 800,000 people die from suicide globally and the age range of people who commit suicide is from 19 to 45-years.
Charles said etiological factors that cjause depression include chronic illnesses, unemployment, loss of job, financial problems, divorce, legal problems, isolation, withdrawal from family and friends, excessive alcohol or drugs amongst others.
He told the gathering that there is need to give people who have mental illness support.
“Usually depression affects single people mostly than married ones. This applies to both men and women. Women, however, do not freeze on issues like men. That is the reason why women mostly talk a lot and in that way, they are relieving themselves unlike men who bottle things up. In the end, a person who bottles up can commit suicide,” he said.
He said prevention mechanisms, which should be done to build one’s confidence, should be put in place for effectively coping and problem-solving skills, reducing stigma and discrimination on the individual, maintaining social relationships, promoting access to counselling services amongst others.
Vice chairperson of EESN, David Mangwegape said suicide was a serious concern in Botswana. “The age adjusted death rate is 3.85 per 100,000 (of the) population ranking Botswana as 142 in the world. Physical illness can be complicated by psychiatric disorders and emotional disorders can worsen physical illness. Most psychiatric disorders do not cause mortality except suicide, but there is high morbidity,” Mangwegape said.