November 16, (THEWILL) – Nigerian music producer and artiste, Olumide Ogunade, professionally known as ID Cabasa, has drawn attention to a generation of depressed and drug addicted people raised in Nigeria.
Raising alarm about the mental well-being of Nigerian youths, ID Cabasa voiced his concerns on social media, highlighting the disturbing rise of depression and hard drug addiction among them. His observations underscored the looming risk of losing an entire generation to these interconnected challenges.
“We are raising a generation of depressed people, who are addicted to drugs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we took care of a depressed top artiste, who was seriously addicted to drugs”, he shared.
The music producer’s comments illuminate the profound impact of these issues, emphasising the necessity for collaborative efforts to address the mental health and well-being of the younger generation in Nigeria.
This arises following the deaths of rapper Oladips and Mohbad.
In recent revelations, Jimoh Idowu Wasiu, popularly known as Idowest, also took to his social media, announcing that many artistes in the music industry are depressed and struggling.
Movie producer, Biodun Stephen, also opened up on her struggles with depression in the past when she was having difficulty securing acting roles in the industry, during a chat with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo. She also revealed that the fact that she could not get movie gigs made her dump acting.
Based on statistics, it is estimated that globally, 322 million people suffer from depression, with over 7 million individuals in Nigeria, alarming at a rate of 3.9%. However, specific populations reveal even higher rates.
Among young adults, the elderly, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the prevalence stands at 25%, 26.2%, and 17% respectively.
Furthermore, research highlights a range of 20% to 59% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS experiencing depression, with the highest rates observed in North-Central Nigeria.
A 2013 study in Western Nigeria reported a concerning 44.5% of clinical patients grappling with depression. Additional studies on chronic illnesses such as stroke, leprosy and epilepsy unveiled prevalence rates ranging from 27.5% to 46%.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, discussions around mental health awareness and support become increasingly crucial.
ID Cabasa’s concerns, therefore, serve as a call to action to address these pressing issues and foster a healthier environment for Nigerian youths.
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