By PRISCA Sam-DURU

Depression is hardly an issue anyone is interested in talking about in this part of the world how much more, publishing a whole book on the issue yet, it is ravaging Nigerians especially, the cream of the society.

A critical survey of  the country which is in the doldrums, a situation widely blamed on bad leadership, it would be discovered that to a large extent, most  citizens of this great country are left to despair.

Recent reports on embezzlement of public funds by people in power which run in trillions when placed side by side with the fact that many citizens of this once great country can no longer afford one balanced meal a day is the height of irony and this, unarguably, is enough to get the impoverished masses, depressed.

In a bid to escape despondency brought about by the masses’ inability to benefit from the treasures of the land, it has been discovered that while so many get involved in vices as a means of survival or a way of escape, others simply get swallowed up in their situation.

Little wonder more graduates and even undergraduates are getting involved in armed robbery on a daily basis. In addition, there are more startling reports on the despicable acts perpetrated by armed robbers and assassins during their ungodly operation such as engineering incest  which are hitherto an anathema. There have also been cases  of suicide, murder and man slaughter which are also, fast becoming a daily occurrence.

All these and more according to Raphael Ikedi in what he termed, “A Self-Help Book on Health and Happiness” for every family titled, “How to Handle Depression and Live Happily (Practical Approach without Meditation), are  results of depression.

The 121 page book which the Anambra  State born graduate of Abia State University, Uturu says is for everyone but precisely, for victims of depression or  people who have depressed relatives in the society.

In the well detailed book, the young author who was once a victim of depression describes depression as a possible risk factor for suicide, self mutilation and several physical health problems. In addition to the identification of situations that can lead to an individual becoming depressed and some of the resultant effects, the book also proffers  non medication means of  getting out of the trauma which Ikedi terms “a sure way out of the sound health destroyer”.

Ikedi also documents in the book that common evidences in people’s individual lives which are partly discussed above are in line with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) prediction which has it that by 2020, depression would be the greatest burden of illness after heart disease, and this makes it a global burden that reduces quality of people’s lives.

It is unfortunate however as noted in the book that depression is not openly spoken of  for the mere fact that  people may view sufferer as mentally deranged, yet in Africa society, the health problem is pervasive.

Double thumbs up for Ikedi for this new offering on a very interesting and important topic and for also sharing his experience as a victim. More heartening about the book is the author’s ability to educate readers on the medication free method which saw him out of the trauma. The book is a priceless material, an eye opener to the public and a must read for every family.