OSAGIE EGHAREVBA

Mental health challenges among secondary school students have become a growing concern globally with Nigeria experiencing a significant rise in mental health issues among adolescents. This study explores the mental health challenges faced by secondary school students in Nigeria, identifying key factors contributing to these issues and examining the coping mechanisms employed by students. The research also investigates the role of schools, families, and communities in addressing mental health challenges and promoting well-being among adolescents. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A survey was administered to 400 secondary school students in Ekosodin, followed by in-depth interviews with 30 students, teachers, and school counselors. The findings reveal that academic pressure, family problems, social relationships and stigma surrounding mental health are major contributors to mental health challenges among secondary school students. Anxiety, depression, and stress were the most commonly reported mental health issues, with female students reporting higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to male students. The study highlights the importance of early identification and intervention as well as the need for comprehensive mental health support systems in schools. The research also emphasizes the role of families and communities in promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma. The findings suggest that schools should prioritize mental health education, provide accessible counseling services and train teachers to identify and support students struggling with mental health issues. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on adolescent mental health in Nigeria, providing insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing mental health outcomes. The research underscores the need for a multi-level approach to addressing mental health challenges involving individual, family, school, and community-level interventions. By promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma and increasing access to support services, Nigeria can take steps towards improving the mental well- being of its adolescent population. The study's findings have implications for policymakers, educators, parents, and mental health professionals, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to address mental health challenges among secondary school students. Recommendations include integrating mental health education into school curricula, increasing funding for school counseling services, and promoting community-based mental health initiatives.

Background: Internal displacement can disrupt schooling through instability, resource constraints, and psychosocial stress, yet context-specific evidence on academic outcomes among adolescents living in camps in Edo State remains limited.

Objective: This study examines the effects of displacement on the academic performance of internally displaced adolescents in Uhogua IDP Camp, Benin City, Edo State, and identifies displacement-related factors associated with educational engagement and attainment.

Methods: A camp-based, cross-sectional mixed-methods design is proposed. Quantitative data will be gathered from internally displaced adolescents of secondary-school age using structured questionnaires covering displacement history, schooling continuity, learning conditions, and indicators of academic performance (e.g., recent grades or teacher-reported performance where available). Qualitative interviews or focus groups with adolescents, caregivers, and educators will explore perceived barriers and supports. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses will be used to assess associations between displacement-related exposures and academic performance, while thematic analysis will be applied to qualitative data to contextualize pathways and mechanisms.

Results: The study is expected to clarify how displacement experiences, interrupted schooling, access to learning materials, and psychosocial factors relate to academic performance within the camp setting, and to document key constraints and protective supports reported by stakeholders.

Conclusion: Findings will inform targeted educational and psychosocial interventions for internally displaced adolescents in Uhogua IDP Camp and guide policy responses to reduce displacement-related learning losses; causal inference will be limited by the cross-sectional design.

The study investigated the elderly behavior towards drugs taking for their well-being in Sabongida-Ora community, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight the elderly behavior towards drugs taking for their well- being in Sabongida-Ora community. The research questions asked to achieve the objective of the study were as follows; what are the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community, What are the causes of the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community and What are the best method to improve the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community. The sample size was 294 participants chosen from the study population using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling, the research instrument utilized was the questionnaire. Conclusion drawn from the analysis of the data retrieved from the questionnaire indicates that the growing awareness of the drug use problems of the elderly clearly points up the fact that real understanding and indepth knowledge of the area is lacking. Although it is true that some elderly people are receiving too much of too many psychoactive medications, it is also true that many are not now using psychoactive drugs that could significantly help them. These and other issues need intensive study. It is crucial, then, that at this juncture, NIDA actively participate and assist in the development of new knowledge and innovative service delivery models in order to provide every assurance that the elderly population who are experiencing difficulties associated with their drug use can be accurately identified and provided quality care. Recommendations were made based on the findings and they include: Physicians must always review all medications used. Special attention must be paid to nonprescription drugs, herbs and supplements. Various criteria sets exist in the literature that identify medications to be avoided, or prescribed with caution.

Elder abuse is still a major issue in communities all over the world, including Ekosodin in Edo State, Nigeria. This study explored the scourge of elders’ abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State. The prevalent problem of elder abuse in the Ekosodin community was investigated in this research, emphasizing its complexity and the difficulties it presents. Four research objectives
were formulated in this study. The study specifically determined the factors influencing elderly abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State; examined the causes of elders abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State; ascertained the effects of elders abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State and examined the roles of social work in ameliorating the incidence of elder abuse in Ekosodin
community, Edo State. The study utilized the cross-sectional survey research design because the respondents were from
different economic background. The population of the study was 229,500 (population projection, 2022). The sample size of the study was 400 research participants. The study utilized the structured questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. The study also utilized the quantitative method of data collection. The results of the study were analyzed with the use of the
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (23.0) programme and they were presented using tables and charts. The result of the study showed that elder abuse in Ekosodin can take many different forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and inattentive abuse, and it affects a lot of elderly people. The necessity of tackling elder abuse in Ekosodin is highlighted by this study. Community-centred solutions should be implemented, including awareness campaigns, support networks, procedures for reporting abuse, access to resources, and campaigning for local laws. By putting these measures in place, the Ekosodin community may attempt to make its older residents' surroundings safer and more respectful, therefore enhancing their wellbeing and
protecting their dignity. To secure the safety and empowerment of older individuals in this community, the battle against elder abuse in Ekosodin requires for collaborative action including community members, leaders, organizations, and governmental institutions.