Some 800,000 Yolanda victims suffer from depression; teenage pregnancies on the rise

The World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international code Haiyan) have suffered from different mental health conditions over the past year. A tenth of them have conditions that need medication and support, like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic disorder, and schizophrenia. Cases of suicide have also been reported. Preliminary reports from midwives also indicate there have been “noticeably more teenagers that are pregnant” since the super typhoon. Over 15,000 babies are born in Yolanda-affected areas every month, but WHO admitted there are probably not enough incubators for newborn babies, who tend to be smaller and premature and needs special newborn care.

Read Rappler’s full stories on mental health and teenage pregnancies in Yolanda areas.