Owie Ukponahiusi

The study assessed the impact of the community based mental health programme on youths development in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. The population of the study comprised four hundred (400) respondents who are youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years who have lived in Ekosodin community in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research method/design
used for the study was survey research. The data collected from the respondents were used for data analysis through simple descriptive statistics namely, simple percentage, frequency count and mean rating. The findings of the research concluded that there are many factors that contribute to the incidence of mental health challenges among youths of Ekosodin community such as peer pressure, substance abuse, unemployment, financial problems, family challenges, lack of parental guidance etc. The community based mental health programme has a significant impact on youth development in Ekosodin community, Benin
City. There are many limitations to the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin Community such as lack of financing to sustain mental health programming, stigma and discrimination and lack of community awareness which impairs the effectiveness of the community based mental health programme. Social workers play a significant role in the successful implementation and effectiveness of mental health programming by helping to ascertain who needs special programmes, joining forces with other professionals in the implementation of mental health programming, bridging the gap between the community and mental health service providers and increasing effectiveness and sustainability of community based mental health programmes. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the government and other stakeholders increase funding and material resources for the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin. Increased financial resources will
support what is currently being done, allow for trained professionals to be hired, and create modern counselling and therapy spaces for the youths.

The study assessed the impact of the community based mental health programme on youths development in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. The population of the study comprised four hundred (400) respondents who are youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years who have lived in Ekosodin community in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research method/design
used for the study was survey research. The data collected from the respondents were used for data analysis through simple descriptive statistics namely, simple percentage, frequency count and mean rating. The findings of the research concluded that there are many factors that contribute to the incidence of mental health challenges among youths of Ekosodin community such as peer pressure, substance abuse, unemployment, financial problems, family challenges, lack of parental guidance etc. The community based mental health programme has a significant impact on youth development in Ekosodin community, Benin
City. There are many limitations to the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin Community such as lack of financing to sustain mental health programming, stigma and discrimination and lack of community awareness which impairs the effectiveness of the community based mental health programme. Social workers play a significant role in the successful implementation and effectiveness of mental health programming by helping to ascertain who needs special programmes, joining forces with other professionals in the implementation of mental health programming, bridging the gap between the community and mental health service providers and increasing effectiveness and sustainability of community based mental health programmes. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the government and other stakeholders increase funding and material resources for the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin. Increased financial resources will
support what is currently being done, allow for trained professionals to be hired, and create modern counselling and therapy spaces for the youths.

This study examined the knowledge and awareness of mental health services among women in Benin City. Mental health has become a vital aspect of overall well-being, yet many individuals, particularly women, still lack adequate awareness of available services and resources. The study aimed to assess the level of awareness, identify sources of information, and explore the barriers that influence the utilization of mental health services among women in Benin City. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to women residing in Benin City. The findings revealed that although many respondents understood the concept of mental health and believed that mental health problems are treatable, the level of awareness of existing mental health services remains low. Most women were unaware of where to seek professional help when facing mental health challenges. The study also found that cultural beliefs, social stigma, financial constraints, and poor access to information significantly affect help-seeking behaviour. Social media and informal networks emerged as the main sources of mental health information, while professional health channels were less utilized. The study concludes that despite growing recognition of mental health issues, awareness and utilization of mental health services among women in Benin City remain inadequate. It recommends intensified public health education, improved funding, and community-based awareness campaigns to bridge the gap between mental health knowledge and service utilization

The study assessed the impact of the community based mental health programme onyouthsdevelopment in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. The population of the study comprisedfour hundred (400) respondents who are youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years whohavelived in Ekosodin community in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research method/designused for the study was survey research. The data collected from the respondents wereusedfor data analysis through simple descriptive statistics namely, simple percentage, frequencycount and mean rating. The findings of the research concluded that there are manyfactorsthat contribute to the incidence of mental health challenges among youths of Ekosodincommunity such as peer pressure, substance abuse, unemployment, financial problems, family challenges, lack of parental guidance etc. The community based mental healthprogramme has a significant impact on youth development in Ekosodin community, BeninCity. There are many limitations to the community based mental health programmeinEkosodin Community such as lack of financing to sustain mental health programming, stigmaand discrimination and lack of community awareness which impairs the effectiveness of thecommunity based mental health programme. Social workers play a significant role inthesuccessful implementation and effectiveness of mental health programming by helpingtoascertain who needs special programmes, joining forces with other professionals intheimplementation of mental health programming, bridging the gap between the communityandmental health service providers and increasing effectiveness and sustainability of communitybased mental health programmes. Based on these findings, it was suggested that thegovernment and other stakeholders increase funding and material resources for thecommunity based mental health programme in Ekosodin. Increased financial resources will support what is currently being done, allow for trained professionals to be hired, andcreatemodern counselling and therapy spaces for the youths.