Book on depression for launch tomorrow ‬

A 162-page book, “Shadows in the Mirror – The Many Faces of Depression” will be presented to the public 
 
The public presentation will take place at Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, and will be chaired by Prof. J. Adeyemi, President, Nigerian Association of Psychiatrists, while an interactive talk on “Is Depression A Problem in Nigeria?” will be given by a Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry, LUTH, Dr. Charles Umeh.
 
According to the author, Dr. Vivian Ikem, a PhD graduate of Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London, her book seeks to create awareness on depression, its severity and commonality, breakdown, stigma, raise the profile of depression and mental health as well as give hope to those suffering from mental health and their caregivers.
 
She said, “Nigerians hardly talk about mental health and many think of depression simply as sadness, weakness, weak faith, something that is demon-inflicted or influenced by black magic, something to be ashamed of or an issue specific to western communities”.
 
Ikem lamented lack of government intervention, public advocacy or proper support, assistance, networks for issues of depression, saying, “sadly, ignorance of depression is costly for many, and people are suffering in silence”.
 
Depression, which affects the young and old, has been predicted by World Health Organization would be the second leading cause of death and disability by 2020; only after ischemic heart disease.  It is also a big health concern for low-medium income countries like Nigeria where it is said that 1 in 5 people suffers with mental health issues.