MENTAL HEALTH

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

This study examined the role of social workers and the effects of social isolation on the mental health of older adults in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Social isolation, a growing global concern among older populations, has been associated with depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and reduced overall well-being. In Nigeria, weakening family bonds, increased migration, and socio-economic pressures have heightened the vulnerability of older adults to isolation, yet limited empirical studies exist at the community level. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 100 older adults and 20 social workers through structured questionnaires and interviews. The findings revealed that many older adults experience significant social isolation resulting from widowhood, declining physical health, reduced community interaction, and minimal family contact. The effects on mental health were profound, including persistent sadness, anxiety, loneliness, emotional withdrawal, and reduced life satisfaction. Social workers were found to play important roles in counseling, advocacy, community outreach, and linkage to social and health services; however, their effectiveness was constrained by limited staffing, funding shortages, inadequate training in geriatric mental health, and logistical challenges. The study concludes that social isolation significantly impairs the mental health of older adults in the locality and that social workers, despite their commitment, require stronger institutional support to meet the needs of this growing population. It recommends increased government funding, enhanced community-based programs, improved mental health services, family-centered interventions, and expanded geriatric training for social workers. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on aging, mental health, and social work practice in developing countries and provides a foundation for further research on elderly care and social isolation

Thisstudyinvestigatedtheinfluenceofguidanceandcounsellingawarenessonmentalhealth amongstudentsoftheUniversityofBenin,BeninCity,Nigeria.Themainobjectivewasto
determinetheextenttowhichstudentsareawareoftheavailableguidanceandcounselling
servicesandhowsuchawarenessrelatestotheirmentalhealth.Thestudyalsoexaminedwhether differencesexistinthisrelationshipbasedonsexandage. Adescriptivesurveyresearchdesignwasadopted.Thepopulationcomprisedundergraduate studentsoftheUniversityofBenin,whileasampleof150respondentswasselectedusinga simplerandomsamplingtechnique.Datawerecollectedusingastructuredquestionnairetitled
GuidanceandCounsellingAwarenessandMentalHealthScale(GCAMHS).Thedatawere
analyzedusingdescriptivestatistics,PearsonProductMomentCorrelation,andFisher’sZ-testat a0.05levelofsignificance.
FindingsrevealedthatstudentsoftheUniversityofBeninarehighlyawareoftheguidanceand
counsellingservicesavailabletothem.Resultsfurthershowedastrongpositiveandsignificant
relationship(r=0.884,p<0.05)betweenawarenessofguidanceandcounsellingservicesand
students’mentalhealth.However,nosignificantdifferenceswerefoundintherelationshipbased onsexandage.Thestudyconcludedthatawarenessofguidanceandcounsellingservicesplaysa vitalroleinpromotingstudents’mentalhealthandemotionalstability.Itrecommendedthatthe
university’scounsellingcentreintensifyawarenesscampaigns,integratecounsellingintostudent lifeactivities,andconductregularmentalhealthsensitizationprograms.

The Study Investigate the Influence of Social Media on Mental Health Among Senior Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area. Three research questions were raised to guide this study: What is the level of social media usage among
students in Oredo Local Government Area Edo state, Is there a relationship between social media usage and the mental health of students, What is the difference in relationship between social media usage and mental health of students among male and
female in Oredo Local Government Area Edo state. The population comprises Senior Secondary school students (SSS 1-3) within Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. This includes students from public and private schools. Based on available data and school records, the estimated total number of students in SSS 1-3 across selected public and private secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area is 800. This figure represents the target population from which the sample for this study will be drawn. This study employed a simple random sampling technique to ensure that every student in the population had an equal chance of being selected. This method was chosen to minimize bias and enhance the representativeness of
the sample across Senior Secondary School(SSS 1-3) in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. For this study, a total sample size of 200 students was selected from ten secondary schools within Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. The findings revealed that, there is a high level of social media usage among students, driven by the search for gratifications such as social interaction and identity formation, the level of mental health among the students is low, characterized by early signs of difficulty such as sleep irritation, lack of energy, and self-isolation there is a significant relationship between social media usage and mental health, indicating that
heavy and prolonged time spent on these platforms contributes to increased symptoms of
anxiety and depression. The following recommendations are made: Parents should ensure
that their children are digitally and emotionally prepared for the impact of social media. They should support their children’s well-being by monitoring platform density and encouraging non-screen activities like sports and in-person socializing. Schools should incorporate programs that focus on digital literacy and mental health awareness as part of the secondary education curriculum. This will enhance students' ability to handle "comparison pressure" and improve mental health outcomes. The government should implement policies that ensure all schools have access to mental health counseling services that address digital conditioning and cyberbullying. This will ensure that students are better prepared for the psychological challenges of the digital age

This study examined the prevalence of cyber bullying and mental health among students in university of Benin. A total of 140 respondents participated in the study, providing insights into their perception on cyber bullying and mental health, and the relationship between the two. This study employed a descriptive survey research design and the data for this study was collected by using the questionnaires. The findings indicate that The mental health impact of cyberbullying was also significant, with anxiety being the most common psychological consequence, followed by depression and stress. Many students also reported low self-esteem and a sense of social isolation. These findings underscore the severe consequences of cyberbullying, affecting students’ mental well-being and overall aca demic performance. The study concluded that The low awareness of available support systems, along with their perceived ineffectiveness, highlights a gap in addressing the needs of students who are victims of cyberbullying.

This study examined the socio-cultural determinants of mental health among youth in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire as the primary instrument for data collection. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to youths residing in different parts of Benin City, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, including frequency distributions and percentages. The findings revealed that mental health challenges among youth in Benin City stem from multiple causes, including poverty, unemployment, family pressure, academic stress, and substance abuse. Furthermore, socio-cultural beliefs, stigma, and traditional perceptions of mental illness were identified as major factors influencing attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking behaviour. The study also found that social support systems remain weak, and limited access to affordable mental health care continues to worsen the problem. Social workers were observed to play a crucial role in the rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration of youth experiencing mental health issues, although their efforts are often constrained by inadequate resources and institutional support. The study concluded that mental health among youth in Benin City is largely shaped by socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors, which collectively determine the perception, experience, and management of mental illness. It therefore recommends that government agencies, community leaders, and social work practitioners intensify mental health education, challenge harmful cultural stereotypes, and expand youth-friendly mental health services. Strengthening social work practice and promoting community-based interventions were also emphasized as vital strategies for improving mental health outcomes among youths in Benin City.

awareness among patients is often limited, particularly in low­ and middle­income countries. In Nigeria, many individuals misattribute psychiatric symptoms to stress, spiritual causes, or ordinary life difficulties, resulting in delayed presentation, poor treatment adherence, and worsened outcomes. Doctors’ perspectives are vital in assessing the extent of patients’ awareness and identifying barriers to care. Objective: This study assessed doctors’ perspectives on the level of patients’ awareness of mental health challenges at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria, and explored perceived barriers, consequences, and strategies for improvement. Methods: A descriptive cross­sectional study was conducted among doctors at UBTH using a structured, self­administered questionnaire. Data collected included socio­demographics, perceptions of patients’ awareness, barriers, and suggested interventions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented in prose, tables, and charts. Results: Most doctors perceived patients’ awareness of mental health challenges to be low to moderate, with only a small proportion demonstrating good awareness of common conditions such as depression and anxiety. Patients often misattributed symptoms to stress or spiritual problems, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Stigma (reported by over two­thirds of respondents), cultural and religious beliefs, low literacy, and weak health system capacity were identified as major barriers. Doctors noted that poor awareness contributed to late presentation, misdiagnosis, treatment non­adherence, and frequent relapses. Suggested strategies included integrating mental health education into routine consultations, strengthening community outreach, collaborating with religious and cultural leaders, expanding training for healthcare providers, and implementing hospital­based and national awareness campaigns. Conclusion: Doctors at UBTH perceive patients’ awareness of mental health challenges as inadequate, with significant consequences for timely diagnosis, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes. Stigma and sociocultural misconceptions remain key barriers. Targeted interventions—including patient education, anti­stigma programs, and community engagement— are urgently needed to improve awareness and enhance mental health care delivery.

A descriptive survey of 230 University of Benin undergraduates explored social media's impact on mental health. Findings revealed a dual effect: while social media was a source of happiness for many, a majority also reported feeling depressed from its use. Students widely agreed that prolonged use negatively impacts sleep and concentration and that females are more vulnerable to cyberbullying. The study recommends university-led awareness programs and support systems to help students manage these negative effect

Stress and mental health challenges among university students have become a growing concern, impacting their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well being. This study investigates the prevalence, causes, and coping mechanisms of stress among students at the University of Benin. Using a survey method, data was collected from a diverse group of students to examine key stressors such as academic workload, financial challenges, and social pressures. The study also explores how demographic factors, including age, gender, year of study, and socioeconomic background, influence students’ mental health experiences. The study is grounded in the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), which emphasizes the interaction between individuals and their environment in determining stress responses. Findings reveal that academic workload is the most significant stressor, with 70% of students reporting it as their primary concern. Financial constraints, social relationships, and future uncertainties also contribute to mental health challenges. While students adopt various coping strategies such as social interaction, physical exercise, and relaxation techniques, only 15% seek professional mental health support, highlighting barriers such as stigma and lack of accessibility. Based on these findings, thestudy recommends the implementation of university-led mental health programs, including peer support initiatives, stress management workshops, and increased access to affordable counseling services. Universities should also integrate financial aid programs and career counseling to help students manage academic and financial pressures. Addressing mental health challenges among students is crucial for fostering a more supportive academic environment that promotes well-being, resilience, and overall student success.