Mental health issues or illnesses has gradually got an increased attention all over the world. Few years ago, discussion of mental health or even a slight admission of having mental health problem, is seen as a taboo subject and frowned at. People have to suffer in silence and will rather suffer to the point of death than admit they are having mental health challenges. However , recently mental health has been brought to the forefront and discussed in a more positive light. High profile individuals and celebrities has also been able to speak up about their mental health challenges and are becoming less ashamed of talking openly about it.

The challenges though still persist in terms of understanding and acceptance that mental health issues  need equal attention like any other physical illnesses. Also access to treatment both psychological, psychosocial and medical still remain a gold dust.

This episode seeks to highlight the increasing epidemic of mental health problems in young people. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety  , self-harm and suicide has increased dramatically in young people as young as 13 years. This current COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse. The pandemic has been raging for almost two years and with new variants of COVID-19 like Delta and Omicron variant being identified, the hope that this pandemic will soon be in the rear view mirror is becoming daily a challenge.

This episode is for everyone to realise that while we rightly fight and take care of COVID-19 epidemic, our young ones( leaders of tomorrow) are suffering  and dying in silence due to the epidemic of mental health issues. We as parents, organisations, educational institutions, health bodies and policy makers should not loose sight of what our young ones are going through. We do not want to eventually defeat this pandemic, which we will only to be left with another pandemic of mental health epidemic in young people.

#mentalhealth #youngadult #teenagers #depression #anxiety #suicide #self-harm #pandemic #epidemic #COVID-19 #Omicron