Luanda - A book on "Guide to mental health in the school environment for teachers" was launched on Wednesday in Luanda by the Ministry of Health (MINSA), with the aim of reducing problems of aggression in educational institutions.
According to the coordinator of the mental health program, Massoxi Vigário, the guide aims to improve the way in which teachers and pupils' families can act to prevent and promote mental health, adding that this tool serves as a guide and facilitator for teachers, as those responsible for the teaching and learning process.
Vigário stressed that the lack of knowledge about mental health in Angolan schools, whether in the public or private system, results in tendencies to overvalue illnesses, discrimination, stigma, exclusion and when to administer medicines.
The official added that the lack of knowledge prevents the articulation of projects on the development of not only intellectual, but also emotional and social skills, which will contribute to the integral development of the student and constitute a protective factor against mental problems in the future.
However, this requires bringing together different sectors and areas of knowledge, for example, education, social action, family and women's promotion and mental health at school and sexual health program, as well as public policies, to outline new strategies that address this issue.
He emphasized that the manual is highly relevant, as the authors address complex issues, highlighting the extreme importance of assessing a clinical picture of a disorder within the school environment.
According to the mental health specialist, almost half of all mental problems start in childhood, which is why special attention should be paid to them.
During the event, the preliminary results of a survey of behavior, attitudes and practices on risk factors for the mental health of adolescents and young people in schools were also presented.
The survey covered a range of variables, from issues related to bullying, aggression, self-harm, attempted homicide, depression and empathy, among others.
The sample population studied was 2,023 children between the ages of 10 and 19 and there was a visible problem of behavior of over 50%.
Sexual abuse stands out at over 25%, without detracting from cases of attempted suicide, anxiety, depression and bullying.
In this study, the intention to kill someone was the highest, with 10% of the population reporting having this thought after a conflict and out of anger.
WHO's vision
For the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Angola, Nzuzi Katondy, the mental health and well-being of the world's population continues to be one of the organization’s top priorities.
It is estimated that one in eight people worldwide lives with a mental disorder. At the same time, the services, skills and funding available for mental health remain scarce and fall far short of what is needed, especially in low and middle-income countries.
According to the source, factual data and available statistics, globally, show that one in seven children between the ages of 10 and 19 suffers from a mental disorder, which represents 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group.
Katondy said depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the main causes of illness and disability among teenagers.
Suicide, meanwhile, is the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29.
The consequences of not addressing adolescents' mental health conditions extend into adulthood, damaging physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead a fulfilling life as an adult.
EVC/PA/MRA/AMP
