Mental health crisis grips youth, expert warns

SHINYANGA: THE Director of Women and Youth Development Solution (WAYDS), Mr Charles Deogratius said recently that mental health has become a serious crisis in the country, particularly among the youth, with various underlying factors driving the growing problem. He was speaking during a recent national mental health forum held in Kahama Municipality, Shinyanga Region. Mr …

SHINYANGA: THE Director of Women and Youth Development Solution (WAYDS), Mr Charles Deogratius said recently that mental health has become a serious crisis in the country, particularly among the youth, with various underlying factors driving the growing problem.

He was speaking during a recent national mental health forum held in Kahama Municipality, Shinyanga Region.

Mr Deogratius stressed the need for inclusive efforts and dedicated funding to tackle the issue, noting that young people aged 15 to 35 are especially vulnerable to mental health conditions.

He pointed to causes such as substance abuse, alcohol, gambling, relationship challenges and economic pressures.

“Many young people are silently struggling with depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders without access to adequate support systems or mental health services,” he said.

He added: “These challenges are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader systemic issue requiring immediate and coordinated action from both the government and civil society.”

Mr Deogratius urged policymakers, healthcare providers, educators and community leaders to collaborate on developing mental health policies that are inclusive, youth-centered and fully funded.

“Without targeted interventions and sufficient investment, the nation risks losing the potential of an entire generation to mental illness,” he warned.

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Commenting on the matter, the Public Relations Officer at Mirembe National Psychiatric Hospital, Mr Christian Elias said that mental health disorders are most prevalent among youth.

He said this group faces overwhelming social and economic challenges, key contributors to mental illness.

“Young people today navigate a complex world, dealing simultaneously with academic stress, unemployment, family pressures, unstable relationships and peer expectations,” he said.

He added that the increasing use of drugs and alcohol has significantly worsened the mental health crisis among youth.

“The growing popularity of gambling and sports betting, often seen by young people as quick fixes for financial problems, further compounds the issue,” he added.