By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion advocating the integration of mental health education, counselling services, and structured support systems across schools in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the house decried the alarming statistics and emotional struggles of students faced by depression, anxiety, bullying, and substance use.
NAN reports that a motion, co-sponsored by four lawmakers, called for a sweeping reform of the school system’s approach to mental health.
The motion is titled “Need to Integrate Mental Health Education, Counselling Services, and Structured Support Systems in Primary and Secondary Schools in Oyo State.
Its sponsors are Mrs Olufunke Comforter-Olajide (PDP-Ibadan North 1), Mr Rilwan Gbadamosi Saminu (PDP-Atisbo/Saki East), Mr Johnson Ogundele (PDP-Oriire) and the House Leader, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin (PDP-Ogbomoso South).
Presenting the motion, Comforter-Olajide emphasised the urgency of the proposal.
She cited recent findings of UNICEF that one in six Nigerian youths, between the ages of 15 to 24, experience depression, lack of motivation and anxiety.
She described mental health as a vital aspect of students’ well-being and academic performance, which, unfortunately, had remained largely neglected.
“Many children in primary and secondary schools face psychological struggles, including anxiety, depression, stress, substance use, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and emotional trauma.
“Critical factors influencing student mental well-being include academic pressure, peer bullying, socio-economic hardship, and family instability,” she said.
According to her, many of the students’ mental and emotional struggles remain undiagnosed due to the lack of awareness, support systems and trained personnel.
She said that students affected by domestic issues such as abuse, neglect, separation, or trauma become unresponsive or dull in class.
“These students are often misjudged or isolated without support or counselling intervention,” she said.
She also raised concerns about undiagnosed mental illnesses in students due to inadequate awareness and a lack of trained personnel in schools.
“The current school curricula lack robust mental health education, leaving students and teachers ill-equipped to understand or manage emotional distress, or to identify early warning signs that can prevent worsening mental health outcomes.
“Some schools in the state place students with learning difficulties alongside those without support systems.
“This placement often leads to disparities in performance, stigmatisation, bullying, and in severe cases, school dropout; in turn, these lead to mental health issues,” she said.
NAN reports that the members of the house unanimously acknowledged the risk of leaving the issue, including increased substance abuse, school violence, and youth unpreparedness for adult responsibilities, unaddressed.
They concluded that without an urgent response, the lack of structured intervention would put society at long-term risk of higher youth mental illness rates, poor academic outcomes, and reduced national productivity.
In his resolution, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, commended Gov. Seyi Makinde for his ongoing efforts in the health sector reforms.
He particularly mentioned the recent partnership with UNICEF to enrol 10,000 pupils in the state’s Health Insurance Scheme.
Ogundoyin urged the executive arm of government to integrate mental health education into the school curricula, deploy professional counsellors across public schools and establish mental health awareness clubs and campaigns.
He also called for the training of teachers on early signs of emotional and behavioural distress.
According to him, students identified to be at risk are to be covered under the health insurance scheme. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Remi Koleoso and Moses Solanke
