Suicide now the third leading cause of death in 15-29 age group: WHO
The organisation said that one in seven adolescents aged 10-19 experiences a mental disorder, contributing to 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group.
WHO said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among young people.
'One in six people are aged 10-19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and ensuring access to mental healthcare are critical for their health and wellbeing during adolescence and adulthood,' WHO said.
The agency warned that adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma, educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, poor physical health and human rights violations.
WHO noted that adolescence is a crucial period for developing healthy habits such as regular exercise, good sleep, problem-solving skills and emotional regulation and that supportive family, school and community environments are essential.
In South Africa, the link between violence in schools and youth mental health is under the spotlight. Minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube revealed in a parliamentary response that 548 cases of bullying have been reported in schools since January 2025.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded 29 cases, Gauteng 23, and Limpopo a staggering 305. The Eastern Cape reported 68 cases, the Free State one, Mpumalanga 26, the Northern Cape seven, North West 78 and the Western Cape 11.
Gwarube said the department had developed the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) as a guideline to address all forms of violent incidents including bullying.
'It is our responsibility to ensure that every school is a safe space for learning and development,' she said.
WHO emphasised that multiple factors affect adolescent mental health, including media pressure, gender norms, the quality of home life, peer relationships, violence and socioeconomic challenges.
WHO said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders can disrupt school attendance, cause isolation, and increase the risk of suicide.
Globally, 4.4% of 10-14-year-olds and 5.5% of 15-19-year-olds experience anxiety disorders. Depression affects 1.4% of adolescents aged 10-14, and 3.5% of those aged 15-19.
The organisation revealed that eating disorders are more common in girls and that they emerge during adolescence and carry the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder.
WHO highlighted that harmful substance use often begins in adolescence. In 2019, 22% of 15-19-year-olds consumed alcohol with high rates of tobacco and cannabis use also reported.
The organisation warned that failing to address adolescent mental health conditions can impair physical and mental health into adulthood, limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.
'Suicide is the third leading cause of death in older adolescents and young adults. Risk factors are multifaceted, including harmful alcohol use, abuse in childhood, stigma against help-seeking, and access to means of suicide,' WHO said.
WHO recommended focusing on strengthening resilience, providing alternatives to risk-taking behaviours and building supportive environments.
'It is crucial to address the needs of adolescents with mental health conditions, avoid over-medicalisation and respect their rights in line with international human rights instruments,' said the organisation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
Suicide now the third leading cause of death in 15-29 age group: WHO
Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned, releasing sobering statistics to mark International Youth Day. The organisation said that one in seven adolescents aged 10-19 experiences a mental disorder, contributing to 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group. WHO said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among young people. 'One in six people are aged 10-19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and ensuring access to mental healthcare are critical for their health and wellbeing during adolescence and adulthood,' WHO said. The agency warned that adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma, educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, poor physical health and human rights violations. WHO noted that adolescence is a crucial period for developing healthy habits such as regular exercise, good sleep, problem-solving skills and emotional regulation and that supportive family, school and community environments are essential. In South Africa, the link between violence in schools and youth mental health is under the spotlight. Minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube revealed in a parliamentary response that 548 cases of bullying have been reported in schools since January 2025. KwaZulu-Natal recorded 29 cases, Gauteng 23, and Limpopo a staggering 305. The Eastern Cape reported 68 cases, the Free State one, Mpumalanga 26, the Northern Cape seven, North West 78 and the Western Cape 11. Gwarube said the department had developed the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) as a guideline to address all forms of violent incidents including bullying. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that every school is a safe space for learning and development,' she said. WHO emphasised that multiple factors affect adolescent mental health, including media pressure, gender norms, the quality of home life, peer relationships, violence and socioeconomic challenges. WHO said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders can disrupt school attendance, cause isolation, and increase the risk of suicide. Globally, 4.4% of 10-14-year-olds and 5.5% of 15-19-year-olds experience anxiety disorders. Depression affects 1.4% of adolescents aged 10-14, and 3.5% of those aged 15-19. The organisation revealed that eating disorders are more common in girls and that they emerge during adolescence and carry the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder. WHO highlighted that harmful substance use often begins in adolescence. In 2019, 22% of 15-19-year-olds consumed alcohol with high rates of tobacco and cannabis use also reported. The organisation warned that failing to address adolescent mental health conditions can impair physical and mental health into adulthood, limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. 'Suicide is the third leading cause of death in older adolescents and young adults. Risk factors are multifaceted, including harmful alcohol use, abuse in childhood, stigma against help-seeking, and access to means of suicide,' WHO said. WHO recommended focusing on strengthening resilience, providing alternatives to risk-taking behaviours and building supportive environments. 'It is crucial to address the needs of adolescents with mental health conditions, avoid over-medicalisation and respect their rights in line with international human rights instruments,' said the organisation.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Suicide now the third leading cause of death in 15-29 age group: WHO
Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned, releasing sobering statistics to mark International Youth Day. The organisation said that one in seven adolescents aged 10-19 experiences a mental disorder, contributing to 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group. WHO said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among young people. 'One in six people are aged 10-19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and ensuring access to mental healthcare are critical for their health and wellbeing during adolescence and adulthood,' WHO said. The agency warned that adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma, educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, poor physical health and human rights violations. WHO noted that adolescence is a crucial period for developing healthy habits such as regular exercise, good sleep, problem-solving skills and emotional regulation and that supportive family, school and community environments are essential. In South Africa, the link between violence in schools and youth mental health is under the spotlight. Minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube revealed in a parliamentary response that 548 cases of bullying have been reported in schools since January 2025. KwaZulu-Natal recorded 29 cases, Gauteng 23, and Limpopo a staggering 305. The Eastern Cape reported 68 cases, the Free State one, Mpumalanga 26, the Northern Cape seven, North West 78 and the Western Cape 11. Gwarube said the department had developed the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) as a guideline to address all forms of violent incidents including bullying. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that every school is a safe space for learning and development,' she said. WHO emphasised that multiple factors affect adolescent mental health, including media pressure, gender norms, the quality of home life, peer relationships, violence and socioeconomic challenges. WHO said depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders can disrupt school attendance, cause isolation, and increase the risk of suicide. Globally, 4.4% of 10-14-year-olds and 5.5% of 15-19-year-olds experience anxiety disorders. Depression affects 1.4% of adolescents aged 10-14, and 3.5% of those aged 15-19. The organisation revealed that eating disorders are more common in girls and that they emerge during adolescence and carry the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder. WHO highlighted that harmful substance use often begins in adolescence. In 2019, 22% of 15-19-year-olds consumed alcohol with high rates of tobacco and cannabis use also reported. The organisation warned that failing to address adolescent mental health conditions can impair physical and mental health into adulthood, limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. 'Suicide is the third leading cause of death in older adolescents and young adults. Risk factors are multifaceted, including harmful alcohol use, abuse in childhood, stigma against help-seeking, and access to means of suicide,' WHO said. WHO recommended focusing on strengthening resilience, providing alternatives to risk-taking behaviours and building supportive environments. 'It is crucial to address the needs of adolescents with mental health conditions, avoid over-medicalisation and respect their rights in line with international human rights instruments,' said the organisation.
IOL News
08-08-2025
- IOL News
Chikungunya virus: symptoms, treatments and how to protect yourself from the mosquito-borne threat
Southern China is experiencing a chikungunya outbreak, reviving memories of COVID-19 controls. Image: Jimmy Chan/pexels In what feels eerily like a return to 2020, southern China is facing an outbreak that's reviving memories of the pandemic, but this time, it's not Covid-19. It's chikungunya, a virus spread by mosquito bites that causes sudden fever and severe joint pain, often lingering for months or even years. According to Bloomberg, the outbreak's epicentre is Foshan, a city in Guangdong province in South China, where over 6500 cases have been reported in just a few weeks. The local government is acting swiftly: hospitals are keeping patients under mosquito nets, drug purchases are being monitored, and communities are undergoing mass testing and disinfection campaigns. What is chikungunya Pronounced chik-un-GUN-yuh, the virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952, but only arrived in China in 2008. Today, it's known to circulate in over 110 countries, mostly in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and now, more prominently, southern China. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), symptoms usually appear 3–7 days after a mosquito bite and include: Sudden high fever. Intense joint and muscle pain. Skin rashes. Headaches. Swelling of the joints. While most people recover within a week, some may suffer from chronic joint pain for months, sometimes even years. Fortunately, deaths are rare, and the virus is not spread person-to-person, only through mosquito bites. Still, in vulnerable groups like newborns, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, the illness can hit harder. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ With over 7,000 cases reported, authorities are implementing measures reminiscent of the pandemic. Image: Saeed Saeed/pexels Not another lockdown, but a wake-up call. Though the virus itself isn't new, the scale of the response in China is catching attention worldwide. Authorities are now tracking people buying over-the-counter fever or pain relief medication, a tactic used during the Zero-Covid strategy, reports "Bloomberg". Rather than lockdowns or digital tracking, outbreak control should focus on vector management and reducing human mosquito contact, Dr Donal Bisanzio, a senior epidemiologist at RTI International, a nonprofit research group, told BBC News. According to Kang Min, Director of Guangdong CDC's Institute of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, new cases are slowing down, but challenges remain due to international travel and the flood season, which fuels mosquito breeding. Here's what local authorities are doing: Mass disinfection drives and stagnant water removal. Encouraging window screens and mosquito nets. Fines of up to 1,000 yuan (R2 600) for businesses not cleaning up mosquito habitats. Seven-day health campaigns in high-risk towns like Lecong. Communities light mosquito coils at the same time daily to maximise the repellent effect. What does this mean for travellers and locals alike? With the outbreak spreading to 12 cities in Guangdong province and a first imported case in Hong Kong, a 12-year-old boy who had visited Foshan, global attention is growing. The US State Department has even advised travellers to China to exercise increased caution. In an interview with eNCA, Professor Tulio de Oliveira from the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation at Stellenbosch University discussed the chikungunya virus. He noted that in South Africa, the NICD has recorded ten travel-related cases of this virus from December to July. During the winter months, there are no immediate concerns about widespread outbreaks in South Africa. However, emphasised that the real concern for South Africa will arise in the summer when mosquito populations increase. "The variant causing concern originated in Réunion Island in March, leading to a significant outbreak with nearly 50 000 infections. While it also spread to Mauritius, effective measures helped control it there." He added, 'This variant has mutations that allow it to spread more easily through certain mosquito species.' 'Climate change and rising temperatures are expanding the areas where mosquitoes thrive, which could lead to more chikungunya cases. ' He urged vigilance as the situation evolves, especially with the potential for more introductions of the virus into South Africa as the seasons change. How to protect yourself Use mosquito repellent daily, especially in humid, rainy seasons. Install mosquito screens on windows and doors. Sleep under mosquito nets, especially if you live near standing water. Wear long sleeves and pants if you're outside at dawn or dusk. Eliminate stagnant water in plant pots, buckets, or outdoor containers. If you've travelled to affected areas and develop fever, joint pain, or rash, see a doctor and mention your travel history. Early detection helps avoid complications and stops the spread.
