ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS AND PRACTICE FOR PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1            Background of the study

According to the WHO definition (2001), mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual makes full use of his or her abilities, successfully copes with stress in daily life, works efficiently and fruitfully, and is capable of making a positive contribution to society. Mental health is an inseparable part of one’s general health, reflecting a balance between an individual and the environment. Mental, emotional, social and somatic well-being enable an individual to act effectively in his or her environment, achieve goals and develop his or her personality (WHO, 2005). All these areas are listed as important aspects, worth caring about if one wants to build and improve one’s mental health (WHO, 2001). Mental health promotion has a lot in common with the prevention of mental health disorders. Promotion basically concentrates on protective factors (Verhaeghe et al. 2012). The aim of prevention is primarily to prevent behavior that may be risky or the development of mental disorders by concentrating on risk factors. Over the years, governments as well as other European and international institutions have issued dozens of documents listing recommendations and regulations that stipulate how mental health promotion programs should be established and implemented . Following the WHO recommendations, mental health protection and developing one’s true potential should be taken as seriously as medical treatment. There are different groups of people who benefit from such programs, including university students (Stallman, 2010). The reason why this particular group should be given special attention and care is because of the responsibility which lies with educated people and general expectations of their important contribution to social, intellectual and cultural life and to technological progress. Admittedly, higher education is no longer elitist and the number of university graduates is growing rapidly, but it is still hoped that educated

people will live up, at least partly, to these expectations. Promoting and protecting students’ mental health gives young people the chance to progress and undertake new developmental tasks. At the same time it prevents them from developing mental disorders.  Young adults starting university are exposed to a variety of psychological problems. It seems that the major problem facing students is their inability to cope with stress.

In fact, students are a high risk group for mental disorders, which include depressive, anxiety, emotional and personality disorders (Stallman, 2010). Feelings of depression (26,4%), general anxiety disorder (21,1%), and anxiety attacks (13,9%) are the problems most often declared by young Polish adults (Moskalewicz and Boguszewska, 2012). Mental health and emotional problems as well as a difficulty in coping with stress result in missing classes as well as failing to meet academic requirements such as getting credit for classes or passing exams (Storrie et al., 2010). Thus, it is essential that we promote mental health and design such programs that will be in line with students’ expectations and needs.

1.2            Statement of the problem

Until mental health education is a mandatory aspect of all schools, teachers and administrators can work to promote awareness with their students(Verhaeghe,2012). Key elements to shine a light on include the concept of self-care and responsibility for one's own mental health and wellness, with an emphasis on the fact that mental health is an integral part of health, and the concept of recovery from mental illness(Stallman,2010). Teachers and students should be provided with ways to recognize signs of developing mental health problems, and there should be opportunities around the awareness and management of mental health crises, including the risk of suicide or self-harm. Further, instruction should address the relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and other negative coping behaviors, as well as the negative impact of stigma and cultural attitudes toward mental illness.

1.3            Objective of the study

The general objective of the study is assessment of awareness and practice for promotion of mental health among students. Hence, the specific objective of the study is as follows:

1.       To examine if there is an awareness of mental health among students

2.       To find out if students  develop a positive attitude towards the practice of mental health.

3.       To evaluate if school management promote mental health among students.

4.       To investigate how to improve the awareness of mental health among students.

1.4            Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for this study

1)      Is there an awareness of mental health among students?

2)      Do students  develop a positive attitude towards the practice of mental health?

3)      Do school management promote mental health among students?

4)      How can there be an improvement in the awareness of mental health among students?

1.5            Significance of the study

This study will examine assessment of awareness and practice for promotion of mental health among students. Hence it will be singnificant in the following ways:

Government: this study will be significant as it will expose the government on the need of adding mental health as a subject to the school curriculum.

Academia: this study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature on the assessment of awareness and practice for promotion of mental health among students.

1.6            Scope of the study

This study will examine if there is an awareness of mental health among students. The study will also find out if students  develop a positive attitude towards the practice of mental health. The study will further evaluate if school management promote mental health among students. Lastly, the study will investigate how to improve the awareness of mental health among students. Hence this study will be delimited to the University of Lagos, Lagos State.

1.7            Limitation of the study

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8            Definition of terms

Assessment:  the action of assessing someone or something

Awareness:  knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

Practice: the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it.

Promotion: activity that supports or encourages a cause, venture, or aim

Mental health:   includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.

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