THE UPSURGE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG SINGLE PARENTS IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

The study examined the upsurge in mental health issues among single parents in Egor local government area of Edo state. The study investigated the types of mental health issues among single parents in Egor Local Government Area, of Edo State. Find out if lack of finance promotes the surge in mental health issues among single parents in Egor Local Government Area, of Edo State. Find out if there is a significant relationship between mental health issues faced by single parent families and their separation from their spouse. From the population 400 respondents were purposively selected for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary information from the respondents. This was ascertained to be both valid and reliable. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentages; The level of significance was taken at 0.05 alpha level. While conclusion revolves around these findings, it wasrecommended that Sociologist and counsellors should encourage couples to develop positive
attitudes that will cause their marriage to last longer in other to avoid mental illness. The government should establish and fund counselling centres at the community, and Local Government levels and employ professional counsellors to help couples or single parent who are going through mental stress. Medical professionals are in position to help single mothers; who have been through the issues before to avoid a repeat of it. There should be public enlightenment through the mass media on the negative effects of divorce, separation etc. Young couples planning to get married should be guided on the ways to avoid desertion in the intimate relationship of marriage.