ABU DHABI // Troubled teenagers are at risk of developing chronic depressive disorders if they do not receive better care, experts warn.
Depression is the top cause of illness and disability among adolescents globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed last week.
And it said that globally, suicide is the third most common cause of death among adolescents, after traffic trauma and HIV-Aids.
It is dubbed a “silent epidemic” in the UAE, as mental health is still considered a taboo subject but the number of cases are on the rise.
Psychologists have called for urgent action to prevent teenagers from developing lifelong problems, such as substance abuse, job troubles and involvement in crime.
“The mental health issue can no longer be ignored or underestimated,” said Dr Deema Sihweil, clinical director at the Carbone Clinic in Dubai.
“The alarming global figures of childhood mental disorders, particularly the rising rates of depression, are of great concern.”
While there are no accurate prevalence rates of adolescent depression here, she believes the rates are high and on the rise.
Dr Sihweil treats teenagers who harm themselves by cutting, burning or freezing their skin, and adolescents who abuse alcohol and prescription medication.
She also treats those whose mental health issues have led to eating and obsessive compulsive disorders.
Typical factors that contribute to the development of mental health issues, which can emerge in those as young as 13, include social pressures, body-image concerns, family discord and academic stress.
More needs to be done to help teenagers suffering with mental health issues, Dr Sihweil said.
“People don’t recognise the necessity for long-term care and consistent school programmes. Too often, families give up and hope that their children will get better,” she said.
According to the WHO, half of all mental health disorders in adulthood appear to start by 14. But most cases are undetected and untreated.
Without early intervention, childhood depression damages in the long term, said Dr Sihweil.
The risk of developing chronic psychological disabilities is higher, substance dependency risk is greater, social relationships suffer and there is a greater risk of unemployment, she said.
But youths here are less likely to receive mental health treatment than in the West because it is still considered taboo, Dr Sihweil said.
“Mental illness is still regarded as a silent epidemic and issues of child abuse, mood disorders, substance abuse, issues of sexuality, religious and cultural superstitions around mental health exist, and thus, incidence is most likely to be much greater than reported,” she said.
Maya Sidani, a clinical psychologist at Al Noor Hospital’s Airport Road branch in Abu Dhabi, said more and more teens are at risk of mental disorders because of several factors.
“This includes being away from home, with less family support,” Ms Sidani said. “There is less interaction with parents due to job demands, which gives less time for children to express themselves.”
Inactive lifestyles can also lead to depression, said the Lebanese expatriate.
“We should pay attention to the mental health of adolescents because it is a sensitive phase in the life of the individual where the identity starts shaping, so any disorder during this phase might lead to significant damage.”
Adelaide Robb, a specialist at a paediatric centre funded by the Abu Dhabi Government, said not enough attention was paid to adolescents’ mental health until there was a crisis.
“Parents and primary care physicians can, at times, think ‘mood swings’ are a normal part of adolescence and discount early symptoms of a mood, anxiety or eating disorder in a teenager,” said Dr Robb, a professor in psychiatry and paediatrics at the Children’s National Medical Centre in Washington.
“Early action is crucial because we want to intervene before a mood or anxiety disorder becomes chronic and raises the risk for suicide, co-morbid substance abuse or dropping out of school.
“Children with any psychiatric disorder, if left untreated, are more likely to quit school, enter the criminal justice system, abuse drugs and alcohol, lose jobs and [in some cases] commit suicide.”
jbell@thenational.ae
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India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
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India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
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If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions