Experts on Mental Health have raised alarm over the increasing rate of mental health issues among teenagers in the country and called for a holistic approach to tackle the situation.
The experts made the call at a one day Teen Life Conference organized by an NGO in Kaduna.
The conference which bought together over three hundred teenagers from various schools in Kaduna has its theme, mental health and academic productivity.
In an address, a Psychologist and teen orator, Miss Judith Igemokhai explained that mental health is the major cause of low performance of learners in schools.
The psychologist who cited the recent case of the JAMB candidate in Lagos state that committed suicide based on her released scores, maintained that the teen life conference was apt as it focused on educating and counseling the students on mental health issues.
Miss Judith Igemokhai who is also the founder, urged relevant stakeholders in the education sector to include in the curriculum a subject on mental health and also ensure that the guidance and counseling unit of all schools are working effectively.
She called on parents to work closely in patience while dealing with their children particularly the teenagers in order to enable them relate well.
Also speaking, the key note speaker, a Certified Family and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT Therapist, Folashade Rojugbokan said mental health cannot be over emphasized on academic impact.
Folashade Rojugbokan urged the students to know them selves and not to judge themselves based on what is happening in the society.
In an interview, some of the students Ochanya Ogwuche, Natasha Akhain, Ishaku Simon said they learnt not to keep quiet when they need help and to identify mental health disorders and how to handle it.
World Health Organization estimates that more than 13 per cent of adolescents aged 10–19 years live with a diagnosed mental disorder.
This prevalence amounts to an estimated 166 million adolescents with a mental disorder of which 86 million adolescents aged 15–19 years and 80 million adolescents aged 10–14 years.
Highlight of the program include break out sessions and counseling, awards and scholarship to some students, recitations and questions and answers sessions.
Cov/Naomi Anzaku Ekele.
