MENTAL HEALTH

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.

The study investigated awareness creation of mental health in the society by social workers in Okabere Community in Ikpoba Okha LGA of Benin City Edo state, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight the level of awareness creation of mental health by Social Workers. Five research questions were asked to achieve the objective of the study. The sample size was 301 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 Due to the negative impact of social media on student’s life, such as ineffective studies, poor academic performance and the general mental health status, putting effective measures in place is pertinent to their academic success and general life. This was done by identifying the major ways social workers couldcreate awareness of mental health and finding the appropriate remedy, based on the analysis made, this thesis , It was discovered that, there is a big relationship between mental health awareness and mental health balance in Okabere community as 59.1% of the respondents strongly agreed to the question ,. It is therefore recommended that recommended that social auxiliary workers assist the social workers in the provision of mental health services. This is because the high caseloads that each social worker is typically burdened with is a precursor to mental fatigue and consequent decline in effectiveness

The study investigated awareness creation of mental health in the society by social workers in Okabere Community in Ikpoba Okha LGA of Benin City Edo state, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight the level of awareness creation of mental health by Social Workers. Five research questions were asked to achieve the objective of the study. The sample size was 301 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 Due to the negative impact of social media on student’s life, such as ineffective studies, poor academic performance and the general mental health status, putting effective measures in place is pertinent to their academic success and general life. This was done by identifying the major ways social workers couldcreate awareness of mental health and finding the appropriate remedy, based on the analysis made, this thesis , It was discovered that, there is a big relationship between mental health awareness and mental health balance in Okabere community as 59.1% of the respondents strongly agreed to the question ,. It is therefore recommended that recommended that social auxiliary workers assist the social workers in the provision of mental health services. This is because the high caseloads that each social worker is typically burdened with is a precursor to mental fatigue and consequent decline in effectiveness

This study examined the effectiveness of online counselling in addressing mental health issues among University of Benin students. The increasing rate of mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression among university students has raised concerns about the existing counselling services. Online counselling has emerged as alternative to face-to-face counselling, offering accessibility, flexibility, and confidentiality. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised undergraduate students of the University of Benin, from which a sample was selected using simple random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire titled “Online Counselling and Mental Health Questionnaire (OCMHQ)” was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in the department of Guidance and Counselling and had a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.966, indicating high internal consistency. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that online counselling is effective in addressing students’ mental health issues, particularly in enhancing emotional well-being, reducing anxiety, and promoting positive coping mechanisms. However, challenges such as poor internet connectivity, limited awareness, and concerns about confidentiality affected the full utilization of these services. The study concluded that online counselling plays a significant role in promoting students’ mental health when properly implemented and supported. It was recommended that the University of Benin should strengthen its online counselling framework by improving digital infrastructure, creating mental health awareness campaigns, and training counsellors in virtual counselling skills.

This work is aimed at investigating the impact of sports on the mental health and self-esteem of student athletes using university of benin as a case study. Four research questions were raised for the study. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 235 student athletes of the University of Benin. The data was collected using simple random sampling technique and a sample size of 118 student athletes from university of Benin. The research Instrument used for the study was a self-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using frequency and percentage for the analysis of the research questions. The results revealed that sports plays a crucial role on student athletes’ mental health and self-esteem such as stress, fatigue, emotional fluctuations, burnout rates etc. In conclusion, student athletes are attempting to get better in sports performance but lack the full knowledge on sports psychology and the failure to practice the known coping strategies leads to a decline in their participation and performance, they should also train together and work along with their coaches by having a close relationship with them. All these improve their mindset and help to improve their performance and overall wellbeing. Recommendations are made that student athletes should approach the topic with an open mind and avoid making assumptions or judgments. By acknowledging the value of sports in promoting mental wellbeing and self-esteem, people can develop a better understanding and appreciation for its impact.

Background / Purpose of the Study Caring for a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) imposes substantial emotional and physical strain on caregivers, often leading to mental health issues like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. In resource-limited settings such as the South-South region of Nigeria, these vulnerabilities are exacerbated by inadequate social support and financial constraints. This descriptive cross- sectional study investigated the specific factors influencing the mental well-being of caregivers of children with CP receiving care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), with a focus on assessing mental health status, caregiving burden, and coping mechanisms. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving a purposive non-probability sample of 30 caregivers of children with CP at the UBTH Physiotherapy pediatric clinic. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42), and the Social Support Questionnaire for Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy (SSQ-CP). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Multiple Regression Analysis to test the relationship between caregiving factors and mental health. Result A total of 30 caregivers participated in the study, of whom 22 were women and mothers, and the sample showed a clear skew toward lower income groups. Findings revealed a moderate to strong positive correlation between caregiving burden measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and all indicators of psychological distress—depression, anxiety, and stress—with the overall relationship between ZBI and Mental Health Total being r = 0.712, p = 0.000, indicating a statistically significant association. Perceived social support measured by the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) demonstrated a significant negative correlation with mental health symptoms (r = −0.456, p = 0.011), suggesting that higher support functions as a protective or mitigating factor against psychological distress. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis confirmed that caregiving-related variables collectively and significantly predicted variations in mental health outcomes (F = 5.605, p = 0.001; Adjusted R² = 0.588). However, the severity of the child’s condition, represented by mobility status, did not show a statistically significant effect on caregivers’ mental health in this sample (F = 0.475, p = 0.627). Conclusion The study concluded that caregiving burden and the availability of emotional/social support are significant factors influencing caregiver mental health. Interventions should prioritize reducing the caregiving burden, enhancing formal and informal support systems, and addressing socioeconomic barriers to improve the overall well-being of these vulnerable caregivers in lowresource settings.

Background: Physiotherapists are part of the multidisciplinary health care team (MDT) and are essential in providing mental health education to patients and, when necessary, making referrals for additional customized therapy. However, there is a little or no studies on the knowledge, attitudes and perception of clinical students on the roles of physiotherapy in mental health. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perception of final clinical students of the university of Benin on the roles of physiotherapy in mental health. Methods: This was a cross sectional design study where 256 participants were recruited via convenience sampling technique from final year clinical class at University of Benin. Data was summarized using frequency, percentages, mean, median and interquartile range as appropriate. Inferential statistics such as Chi-square was used to test for the association between the variables and Mann Whitney u-test was used to test for the level of differences. The level of significance will be set at p < 0.05. Results: Majority of the participants 221 (86.3%) had adequate knowledge of the role of physiotherapy, 131 (51.2%) had positive attitude and 218 (85.2%) had good perception towards the role of physiotherapy in mental health. There was no significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice between male and female (p = >0.05). However, there was a significant difference in attitude between various departments. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude (X2= 4.627, p=0.031). Conclusion: The study revealed there was an adequate knowledge on the role of physiotherapy, attitude towards mental health and a good perception of the role of physiotherapy in mental health among the respondents.

This study examined the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes among women in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The study aimed to investigate the availability and types of social support accessible to women, the mental health challenges they face, the influence of social support on their mental well-being, barriers to accessing support, and the role of social workers in strengthening support systems. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was administered to one hundred (100) women selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and descriptive interpretations. The findings revealed that most women had moderate access to social support, primarily from spouses and family members, while emotional and instrumental support were the most common types received. However, 25% of respondents reported difficulties accessing consistent help. The study further revealed high levels of psychological distress among women, with 60% reporting anxiety, 50% experiencing depression, and 70% feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities. A strong positive relationship was established between social support and mental health outcomes, as 75% of respondents agreed that social support improves mood and reduces stress. Major barriers identified included financial constraints (50%), lack of awareness (40%), and social stigma (35%). Respondents strongly emphasized the need for social workers to provide counseling, create women’s support groups, and lead community education initiatives on mental health. The study concluded that social support significantly influences the mental health outcomes of women in Ikpoba-Okha LGA. It recommended that policymakers and social work professionals should prioritize community-based interventions, strengthen informal support networks, and develop sustainable social support programs that enhance women’s psychological well-being and resilience.

This study examined the impact of social media usage on the mental health of econdary school students in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study specifically focused on the nature of online interactions, duration of daily social media
engagement, exposure to harmful or inappropriate content, social comparison among friends, and differences in impact by sex. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, while a sample of 150 students was selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher and analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including one sample t test and independent samples t test, at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that secondary school students actively engage in positive online interactions such as friendly conversations and emotional support. However, the results also showed that many students spend more than three hours daily on social media, stay online late into the night, and experience emotional fatigue after prolonged use. The study further revealed that students significantly interact with harmful or inappropriate online content and engage in social comparison among friends. In addition, a significant difference was found in the impact of social media usage between male and female students, with female students being more affected. The study concluded that social media usage among secondary school students has both positive and negative effects on their mental health. It therefore recommended proper guidance, monitoring, and digital literacy education to promote healthy social media use and
protect students’ mental wellbeing.

This study investigated the correlation between social media and the mental health of students in the University of Benin. A total of 353 undergraduate students participated in the research. The investigation focused on the influence of social media on emotional well-being, social well-being, cognitive functioning, and resilience. A detailed literature review provided the foundation for exploring these areas. Data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires and analysed using mean and standard deviation tables. The stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure a representative selection of participants for the study. The findings revealed that social media significantly influences students' emotional well-being by shaping their self-perception, daily outlook, and emotional experiences based on their online interactions and the content they consume. It positively impacts social well-being by fostering connections and creating a sense of belonging through meaningful engagements. Social media usage also affects cognitive functioning, influencing learning habits, concentration, and critical thinking. However, excessive use disrupts essential cognitive processes necessary for academic success. Additionally, social media enhances resilience by offering support, shared experiences, and a platform to cope with challenges, though mindful engagement is required to avoid adverse effects. The research concludes that social media profoundly impacts various aspects of students' mental health, serving as both a tool for learning and a source of emotional and social support. To address these findings, schools are encouraged to implement workshops on managing social media use, promote community-focused online activities, and introduce programs that foster critical evaluation of online content