National Survey Alarms Lebanon: Crisis in Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Abuse
National Survey Alarms Lebanon: Crisis in Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Abuse
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A comprehensive national survey conducted by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has uncovered a deepening health crisis among the country’s youth.
The “National Student Health Survey” highlights a staggering rise in substance abuse, psychiatric medication dependency, and suicidal ideation among adolescents, largely driven by socioeconomic instability and digital pressures.
According to the report published by Al-Akhbar and Middle East News, the findings reveal that the initiation into high-risk behaviors is occurring at an alarmingly young age. The data suggests that approximately 79% of adolescents reported experimenting with some form of drugs or substances before the age of 14. Furthermore, 62% smoked their first cigarette and 65% consumed their first alcoholic beverage before reaching that same age threshold, indicating a significant breakdown in traditional protective barriers for minors.
The psychological toll on Lebanese students is equally severe, with nearly a quarter of the student population now utilizing psychiatric medications and 17% relying on sedatives or sleeping pills to manage daily life. Mental health struggles have manifested in extreme ways, as 27% of students identify chronic anxiety and stress as the primary drivers of suicidal thoughts. Most concerningly, the survey found that 18% of adolescents had contemplated suicide within the last year, with 14% reporting that they had actually made an attempt on their own lives.
Lifestyle factors and digital habits appear to be exacerbating these psychological issues. The survey indicates that 71% of adolescents spend more than three hours daily on social media, while 63% fail to get the recommended eight hours of sleep. This intense digital immersion has also led to a rise in “e-risks,” with 28% of students reporting they were victims of cyberbullying and 13.8% facing online blackmail. Physical health has declined alongside mental wellness, as 80% of adolescents engage in no daily physical activity, contributing to a widespread overweight rate of 28% across the student body.
In response to these findings, the Lebanese government has launched a national campaign titled “Adolescent Health: Health Trend.” This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministries of Health, Education, and Sports alongside the WHO, aims to speak to youth in their own cultural language. The campaign focuses on providing psychological support, raising awareness about the long-term dangers of early-onset addiction, and promoting healthy lifestyle alternatives to combat the current trajectory of what officials are calling a “silent crisis” in Lebanese schools.
