Oyo Assembly calls for mental health education in schools to tackle growing crisis

...Lawmakers raise alarm over depression, drug abuse among students

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution advocating the integration of mental health education, counselling services, and structured support systems into the curriculum of all primary and secondary schools in the state.

Lawmakers voiced serious concern over the increasing incidence of depression, anxiety, bullying, and substance abuse among schoolchildren, warning that the absence of mental health support is contributing to long-term psychological harm and diminishing the nation’s future productivity.

The motion, titled “Need to Integrate Mental Health Education, Counselling Services, and Structured Support Systems in Primary and Secondary Schools in Oyo State,” was jointly sponsored by Hon Olufunke Comforter-Olajide (PDP–Ibadan North 1), Hon Rilwan Gbadamosi Saminu (PDP–Atisbo/Saki East), Hon Johnson Ogundele (PDP–Oriire), and the House Leader, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin (PDP–Ogbomoso South).

While presenting the motion, Hon Comforter-Olajide cited a recent UNICEF report stating that one in six Nigerian youths aged 15 to 24 is affected by depression, anxiety, or low motivation.

She pointed out that mental health challenges are widespread among primary and secondary school pupils but often go undetected due to limited awareness, a lack of trained staff, and insufficient support frameworks.

She noted that many students are silently struggling with conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), trauma, emotional distress, and substance misuse. “These children, especially those experiencing domestic abuse, neglect, or unstable family conditions, often become withdrawn or disengaged in class and are mislabelled or punished instead of receiving help,” she said.

The lawmakers agreed that academic stress, bullying, poverty, and family instability are major drivers of the crisis. They cautioned that failure to act swiftly could result in a generation plagued by mental health difficulties, further contributing to school violence, poor academic outcomes, higher dropout rates, and adverse effects on national progress.

Speaker of the House, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his ongoing reforms in the health sector and acknowledged the state’s recent partnership with UNICEF, which enabled the enrolment of 10,000 pupils in the state’s health insurance scheme.

He called on the executive branch to immediately implement mental health programmes in schools by deploying trained counsellors, creating mental health awareness clubs, and conducting training workshops for teachers to identify early signs of emotional and behavioural issues.

The motion received unanimous support and was adopted without opposition.