Inflation is a problem that many countries are facing today, Nigeria inclusive. Inflation is defined as a general increase in the price level of goods and services. It occurs when there is an increase in the supply of money and credit relative to available goods and services.
While depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.
This has been a major concern for many Nigerians as the prices of commodities and services have been increasing at an alarming rate. In fact, it has led to many people becoming depressed as they are unable to cope with the skyrocketing rate of commodities and standard of living.
As a means of assisting many Nigerians in this condition, our correspondents, Idara Inyang and Modupeoluwa Adebisi took to the streets to sample opinions on how Nigerians have been coping with inflation without degenerating into a mental health condition.
Read their views below:
Tajudeen Adeyanju said:
“Inflation affects everyone differently. For some, it will cause a
severe depression that lasts for years. For others, it will have no significant impact.”
“If inflation persists, the only way to cope without depression is to invest in your future–both in terms of education and skills as well as in savings so you have at least something to hold on to.”
Choima Nzeribe said:
“In order to cope with inflation, people should try to maintain a stable
lifestyle. This means adjusting to the ever-changing prices by doing things such as buying
groceries in bulk, storing food for later use, and taking advantage of discounts.
“This can not only save people money, but it can also make them feel more in control of their finances.”
Omlani Mercy said:
“What I believe could be done is to get a well-paying job. For example, if you work in a company or you work in an organization, the best thing to do is for companies to increase their workers’ salary. Due to the inflation, we cannot say that most of these companies are making gains or have more incomes aside from the small scale companies.”
“If you are working in a large scale company, I believe companies should actually increase their workers’ pay and by increasing this the working class Nigerians won’t actually feel the inflation that is in the economy.”
Gift Mighty said:
“I believe they can cope with inflation in the economy by learning a skill. There is no place around the world that doesn’t need a handy work that can variably serve as a side hustle. Taking the likes of the hairdressers, barbers, carpenters, tailors, designers, for instance, they are always needed.”
In a situation like this, Nigerians should take caution to learn a skill so that the inflation in the country’s economy cannot lead them to depression. If you depend on only your monthly job, you put yourself at more risk because one day the company might decide to lay off workers and whether you like it or not, you might as well be laid off too.
But if you have a skill and you’re very knowledgeable and working on that on the side, you won’t feel any kind of economical or financial stress or depression, because once you get off work, you are thinking of another work apparently. Any form of depression cannot come in with this I believe.”
Adebayo Onayiga said:
“I believe that the hope of having a better tomorrow should always keep one going and keeping yourself busy with other valuable things such as reading books on your free times. I believe boredom is a key drive to depression.”
“One only gets depressed after thinking negative about something or one's self. Depression just doesn’t find its way into someone’s life without an action to prompt it. Find a hobby and get something doing in your free times rather than spending you time on thinking of negativity and getting yourself depressed.”
“Spend your time doing reasonable things, things that would develop you, be creative, read, get into a new hobby, do things you have not done before, learn musical instruments, get into any sporting activity, by doing this, your brain is busy, your body would be active and you wouldn’t have time to think of negativity and so I don’t think depression is going to have a chance with you.”
