Students of tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria have been urged to shun the abuse of drugs and other substances, noting that such act poses a danger to their mental health and might destroy their future.

This charge was given at an Education and Mental Health Summit organised by a non-governmental organisation, Refuge of Life Foundation (RelFondNigeria) in Osogbo, on Thursday.

The summit attracted relevant professionals from the health sector, academia, civil society, and the agency against drug abuse.

These experts urged undergraduates to prioritise their mental health amid academic and economic stress. They spoke on the theme of the summit: “Academic and Economic Stress: Impacts on Students’ Mental Health.”

Speaking, the Resident, Psychiatric Department, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Damilola Shogunle exposed the participants to symptoms of mental health issues and how to overcome them.

In her presentation titled: “Mental Health Issues: Early Identification and Timely Intervention,” Shogunle defined mental health as a state of well-being that enables individuals to realise their ability.

According to the medical doctor, “if one does not understand who they are and their ability, they may be suffering from mental health”, adding that mental health further entails the ability to cope with the normal stress of life, work productively, and contribute meaningful to society.

She advised the students to be kind, appreciate themselves, and reduce the stigma around mental illnesses.

In his speech, the Assistant Commander, Admin and Logistics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun State Command, Mr A. Abdulganiyu, asked the undergraduates, mostly from the Osun State University and Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to shun drug abuse and focus on their studies.

He said drugs and substance abuse have forced many young persons to lose their senses, urging the students to be cautious whenever they are invited to a party to take any drinks or cakes because some might have been laced with drugs that would affect their mental health.

The NDLEA boss later showed the participants samples of drugs that are harmful and people often abuse, for them to know them and shun them because of the negative effects they have on their health.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Director of RelFondNigeria, Mr Bolarinwa Olabode, mentioned that the essence of the summit is to enlighten undergraduates on the dangers of abusing drugs and other harmful substances, saying that it has been discovered that many students facing stress in schools are using drugs or other substances to douse the stress.

“If this is not curbed, then the leaders of tomorrow will become individuals who need to help themselves,” he noted.

“It is the character, capability, and ability that we have that will determine how we will build resilience, because the economy won’t be permanently good; it will have ups and downs. So, to our students, be a man/woman of substance, not a substance user.”

The other speakers are Dr Jacob Adegbite, a lecturer from the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; Dr Iyanuoluwa Adufe, a lecturer from the Public Health Department of Osun State University; and Mr Femi Rowland, a lecturer from the Federal Polytechnic, Ede.