Date: 2017-04-08

The Kwara State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association has called on the federal and state governments to pay close attention to cases of depression in their areas as failure to do so could result in more deaths.

Chairman of the branch, Dr. Kunle Olawepo, who made this call in Ilorin, the capital, on Friday in commemoration of the World Health Day, said that around 2, 000 Nigerians die annually due to depression while globally the figure is about 800, 000 each year.

According to him, depression is a common mental illness, which drives sufferers to adopt extreme measures including committing suicide.

Olawepo said, "Depression can happen to anybody, (young or old). It can be treated. What treatment is best and how long the depression lasts depend on the severity of the depression. Stress can make depression worse,

"Depression among older people is often associated with physical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic pain, difficult life events such as losing a partner, and a reduced ability to do things that were possible when younger. Older people are at a high risk of suicide.

"Depression following childbirth is very common, affecting one in six women. Without treatment, this type of depression can last for months or even years and can affect the mother's health and development of the baby.

"For this reason, government must not ignore this issue, all necessary attention must be given to ensure that depression does not wreak more havoc in our society."