A Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Ilorin, Alfred Adegoke, says people with mental illness need the support of the community and society rather than being stigmatised.
He also advised early hospitalisation as soon as symptoms of mental illness are noticed.
Adegoke spoke at the four-day national convention of TheStillWaters Mental Health Foundation, which started on November 2 at the campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Speaking on the prevalence of mental illness, the don said, “In Nigeria, the prevalence of mental illness among adolescents ranges from 13.4 per cent to 49 per cent. A study in Nigeria found that the prevalence of depression among adolescents ranges from 4.2 per cent to 13.6 per cent.
“In sub-Saharan Africa, one in seven children and adolescents (14.3 per cent) suffers from serious psychological problems, with nearly 10 per cent qualifying for a psychiatric diagnosis.”
He also advocated the need for “communities and societies to create an environment that is supportive and inclusive of people with mental health problems, including reducing stigma”.
Adegoke stressed that mental health and well-being can be promoted by “adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and engaging in physical activity (exercise), social support – developing positive relationships, engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfilment, having a flexible and realistic reading schedule as a student, and being self-aware so that you know when mental health symptoms start and then go to a hospital”.
In his welcome address, the founder of TheStillWaters, a final year medical student at LAUTECH, Oyewole Olutunmise, said, “The whole vision was born four years ago on 3 November 2019, which is our vision day. We really couldn’t have done this without the dedication of some of you”.
