The incidence of substance and drug misuse among young people continue to present huge concerns to the society, family and individual. The number of young people in Nigeria with substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to rise and they are at increased risk for abuse or neglect, physical problems, poor behavioral or impulse control, poor emotional regulation, conduct or oppositional disorders, poorer academic performance, psychiatric problems such as depression or anxiety.
Gede’s mental health programme seeks to prevent some of these issues among young people in communities and schools, through awareness campaigns to students, teachers and young people in Benue and Cross River states.
These activities started in November 2023 in the states, and aimed at reaching thousands of young people in schools and communities with high risk of substance misuse.
The expected outcome would be a significant behaviour change among young people on substance misuse through the knowledge and skills that will be provided by the campaigns in 2024.
The activities started in Ayiin community of Benue state and government secondary school, state housing estate, calabar, Cross River state and will reach over 30 schools and communities in coming months.