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Young people and mental health at World Mental Health day

By Rev. Fr. John Damian of the Holy Spirit
07 October 2018   |   5:16 am
Do you know that mental sickness is the most violent, the most destructive and most embarrassing sickness in the world? Do you know that mental illness is quite common among young people? Do you know that the numbers of young people that are mentally sick are more than those that are mentally healthy? Do you…

A cross section of senior citizens

Do you know that mental sickness is the most violent, the most destructive and most embarrassing sickness in the world?

Do you know that mental illness is quite common among young people?

Do you know that the numbers of young people that are mentally sick are more than those that are mentally healthy?

Do you even know that with our changing world and our lack of care for people with mental ailment, the number of mentally challenged young people are likely to increase? What are the possible solutions to this perennial problem?

A healthy person is not just one without disease or infirmity. A healthy person must be physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually balanced. Mental health is a healthy state of mind.

It is a state of well-being in which one copes with the normal stresses of life. It is the ability to work effectively and productively.

Above all, it is a state where every individual realises his or her own potential and is able to make positive contribution to the society.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Incidentally, the theme of 2018 World Mental Health Day is: “Young people and mental health in a changing world.”

With this theme, it is obvious that mental ill-health is associated with young people.

According to World Health Organisation, “Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of life, when many changes occur, for example, changing schools, leaving home, and starting university or a new job.

For many, these are exciting times. They can also be times of stress and apprehension, however.

In some cases, if not recognised and managed, these feelings can lead to mental illness.”

Unlike other physical illness, mental illness is not easily detected. It is mainly sickness of the mind.

Unfortunately, in most African societies, there are few medical centres, where mental ill-health can be managed. People in this part of the world hardly go for mental and emotional check-up.

So many factors are contributing to mental ill-health among young people.

Most of the changes in our modern world are major factors responsible for mental ill-health among young people.

Most of our young people are living on hard drugs, alcohol and other dangerous substances, which cause damages to the brain.

A good number of young people are spending most of their days on pornography, violent and horror films, which often affect their mental, psychological and emotional dispositions.

Cyber crimes and bullying are among factors contributing to young people’s ill-health.

Most young people that get involve in cyber crimes (popularly known as yahoo-yahoo) usually enter into occultic covenant; a good number of them even visit native doctors for charm.

These charms usually affect them spiritually and even mentally.

Considering the importance of mental health and its growing impact on young people’s lives, we have established a mental rehabilitation centre with the title “International Youth Rehabilitation Centre.”

In addition to those with mental disorder, this centre also caters for drug addicts, ex-cultist, ex-convicts, and even ex-prostitutes.

The centre is situated at Maryland Egoro Amede, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

God has used this centre to restore the mental health of so many young men and women. A good number of them have fully regained their senses and have been discharged.

Apart from medications, counseling and such spiritual exercises as Daily Masses, Rosary, Divine Mercy Prayer and above all deliverance prayers are among the things that usually help people with mental disorder to regain their senses.

With centres like this across the nation, we are sure to render highly required assistance to young people.

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