By Precious Oluwole

As 10th of October is set aside to celebrate World mental health day, Rotary Club of Akure in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) sensitized students in Akure on drug abuse and Mental health right.

The President, Rotary Club of Akure, Mrs Idiat Olamide Ibrahim noted that what brought about the event is because the drug abuse and suicide rate among the youths is very high.

According to her, the best thing is to begin the sensitization from the roots, which was why the secondary school students were sensitized, so that they will know what drug abuse is, as well as the effects.

“We collaborated with NDLEA because they are the first when it comes to drugs abuse. We can’t do it on our own, so we have to partner with them and sensitize the youths on why drug abuse is not good for the society”.

She, however, urged the teachers to pay more attention to the students and monitor them well. She also advised the students not to engage themselves in drug abuse, encouraging the parents to always ask questions from their children and be more of a friend to them.

In her lecture, Assistant Supretendent of Narcotic, NDLEA, Ondo State Command, Mrs Yemisi Balogun who represented the Deputy State Commander of NDLEA, Ondo State command, Mrs Jeyious Yetunde opined that we can only be well and have a mental health stability when we desist from taking substance abuse that can damage the brain.

She added that someone who is addicted to drugs can still come out of it by rehabilitation.

She urged the students not to experiment drug abuse, they should take their mental health seriously, face their studies and sensitize others on drug abuse.

Also, Dr. Sunday Sajo, a Consultant Psychiatrist with Neuropsychiatrict Hospital, Akure who also lectured the students stated that mental health is the key to a productive and fruitful life.

“Everybody should have right to accessible mental health care. It is very vital to our overall health and well being”.

“People who have mental health issues can do well, they can achieve their potentials and contribute their quota to the development of the country if they access good care. Mental illness is treatable”.

Miss Olamide Okeowo who also addressed the students stated that drug abuse is dangerous to one’s health and can lead to mood disorder, anxiety and depression.

“We all have to take care of our mental health. If we’re mentally fit, we will have our self esteem intact, mental fitness increases productivity”.

Okeowo urged the students to look after their physical and mental health as there’s nothing they can achieve without that, they should maintain good lifestyle, engage themselves in exercise, take rest when needed,open up to people they can trust and treat themselves with kindness.

Precious Bodunde, a student of St. Thomas Acquinas College, Akure commended Rotary Club of Akure for their initiative, adding that the lecture was awesome and wonderful. He added that he would get back to his school and inform his fellow students about the dangers of drug abuse.

Esther Olowokere from St. Dominics High School, Akure said noted the lecture was educating and will her her in her daily activities.

Samuel Adewale from Oyemekun Grammar School opined that the lecture was an eye opener to him as he learned more about drug abuse and mental health right. He added that he would spread what he had learnt from the lecture.

The event which took place at Oyemekun Grammar School hall, Akure was themed “Mental health is a universal right”and was attending by students of Oyemekun Grammar School, St. Dominics High School and St. Thomas Acquinas College.