Rise in cases of depression among schoolchildren worries authorities

Authorities are worried about the alarming rise in the number of school children suffering from depression

• By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter, XPRESS
• Published: 21:00 June 19, 2013

• Image Credit: iStockphoto
• Peer Pressure: Most kids have issues with weight, or the way they look

Abu Dhabi: Health authorities are worried about the alarming rise in the number of schoolchildren suffering from depression in UAE.

A recent study among school children in Dubai found one in five students showed symptoms of depression. Out of 1,289 students surveyed between the ages of 14 and 18, 17.5 per cent were diagnosed with advanced symptoms.

Though there are no emirate-wide statistics available on the number of cases diagnosed and treated among schools, obesity and peer pressure to look good lead to anxiety and depression among teenagers, according to Dr Ghada Najjar Assaf, senior education officer at School Health under Ambulatory Healthcare Services in Abu Dhabi, told XPRESS

He said school nurses, social workers, teachers and parents are being trained to identify early symptoms of depression.

“We are conducting regular training programmes for school staff to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention,” said Dr Ghada.

“It is alarming to see many health-related issues like constant headaches, nausea or weakness among students caused by emotional issues like depression.”

Suicidal bent

G.H, a social worker with public schools in Abu Dhabi, said it was shocking to know how many teenage schoolchildren contemplate suicide when things don’t go their way.

“It is mostly children who have issues with body weight or the way they look who show strong symptoms of depression.

“They have low self-esteem and want to remain reclusive,” said the social worker who deals with girls.

A student counsellor at a private school in Abu Dhabi who did not want to be identified said students referred by teachers often complain that they feel lonely at school and hate their parents.

“Their problems could be as trivial as their best friend not talking to them or more serious issues like low self-esteem or bullying by other children.

“But if we do not intervene at an early stage, it could lead to serious personality issues,” the counsellor warned.