WORLD MENTAL ILLNESS DAY: MEDICAL EXPERTS CAUTION YOUTHS AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE, TASK GOVT ON JOB CREATION

REPORTER: CYNTHIA EGWU

Just like in many cities in the country, people with mental illness, mostly youths, are seen in almost every street in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi State.

While some of them are seen littering the streets with dirts, others pursue passers-by who go about their normal daily activities.

This situation is quite worrisome, especially as it is more prevalent among youths in the society.

World Mental Health Day, marked annually on 10th of October was first celebrated in 1992, and it centers on ways of promoting good mental well-being as well as creating awareness about mental health issues.

Mental illness, which is also referred to as mental breakdown, is a health condition where a person is not aware of reality, which means that the daily functioning of such a person has been impaired.

Medical experts say mental illness manifests in people mostly at adolescent and adulthood between 15 and 45 years, though it manifests earlier in males than in females.

The Assistant Director, Clinical Psychology Department of Psychiatry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Dr. Kenneth Ahamefule, said mental illness could be inherited or caused by harsh socio-economic situations, peer group influence, lifestyle, environmental and psychological factors.

Such psychological factors include hardship, unemployment, stress, frustration, substance abuse, hostile work environment, excessive violence, isolation and traumatic experiences.

Dr. Ahamefule advised youths, who are more mainly affected, to desist from intake of harmful substances like Indian hemp, methamphetamine (popularly called “mkpuru mmiri” in local parlance), cocaine, heroine and monkey tail to prevent mental illness.

Dr. Ahamefule appealed to the government to implement policies that would boost the economy, create enabling environment for both the public and private sectors to operate in, to guarantee job creation and a less stressful society.

Also, a Senior Registrar in the same hospital, Dr. Peter Nnajiofor, called on the government, religious and community leaders to intensify efforts towards sensitizing youths to the dangers of indulging in drugs and other harmful substances.

Dr. Nnajiofor encouraged parents to give appropriate care to their children at every stage of their development, monitor what they watch on TV and social media, as well as know company they keep.

Another respondent, Mr. Emeka Okere, called for the establishment of more rehabilitation homes for the treatment of mentally ill people to stop them from roaming the streets to ensure the safety of the citizens.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU