15% of young people suffer from a mental disorder.

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Extract from the article: Every August 12, the world celebrates International Youth Day, established by the United Nations to recognize the essential role of young people in building a better future. The 2025 edition is held under the theme: “Youth Action for the....

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Every August 12, the world celebrates International Youth Day, established by the United Nations to recognize the essential role of young people in building a better future. The 2025 edition is held under the theme: “Youth Action for the Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond.” It is crucial to address the double vulnerability of young people when it comes to mental health disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

Far from the cliché of a carefree youth, today’s young people are growing up in an increasingly anxiety-inducing world: academic pressure, professional uncertainty, prolonged screen exposure, political and climate instability, and lack of access to healthcare—all factors that deeply affect their psychological well-being. According to the WHO, globally, one in seven young people aged 10 to 19 suffers from a mental disorder, representing 15% of the global disease burden in this age group.

Depression and anxiety are among the leading causes of morbidity and disability during adolescence, and suicide is one of the main causes of death among those aged 15–19. Half of adult mental health disorders begin by the age of 18, yet most cases go undetected and untreated.

What is less known is the insidious link between mental distress and cardiovascular diseases. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression are now recognized as major risk factors for high blood pressure, stroke, and early heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. In African countries, where mental health systems remain marginalized, this comorbidity is particularly dangerous because it is rarely diagnosed and even less frequently treated.

The Hearts of Young People Beat Too Fast—or Not Enough

In Togo, increasing numbers of young people are ending up in emergency rooms for unexplained palpitations, chest pains, or fainting spells related to prolonged stress spikes. Sedentary lifestyles—often worsened by excessive screen use—unhealthy diets, tobacco, and energy drinks are all aggravating factors for young hearts, often overlooked due to the false belief that cardiovascular diseases affect only middle-aged adults.

The World Heart Federation estimates that more than 17 million people die each year from cardiovascular diseases, and a growing proportion are young people under 40, particularly in Africa.

Mental Health: The Taboo Remains Strong

African youth are still trapped by the stigma surrounding mental health. For fear of being judged, labeled as “weak” or “crazy,” many prefer to remain silent, self-medicate, or fall into risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, isolation). The lack of adequate mental health services, school and university psychologists, or attentive listening within families reinforces this silence.

But this silence kills. It kills slowly. Because when anxiety takes root in the body over time, the heart eventually pays the price.

Solutions Exist

On this International Youth Day 2025, it is important to remember that young people are not only healthcare recipients but also change-makers—advocates, innovators in mental health, and well-being leaders. Several youth-led initiatives are emerging across Africa: online listening platforms, mental health clubs, awareness campaigns on social media...

The intersection of mental health and cardiovascular health must become a priority in public health policies in developing countries. Integrating blood pressure screening into psychological consultations, offering stress management workshops from adolescence, creating safe spaces for dialogue in high schools and universities, investing in campaigns linking sports, healthy eating, and emotional balance—these are simple yet powerful actions to protect future generations.

Raymond DZAKPATA