ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND STIGMA AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITY. EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Mental health is a condition of well-being where a person is aware of their potential, can handle life stresses, does work efficiently, and contributes well to their community. Often, mental health problems are linked with social stigma, irrespective of the level of civilization. This research seeks to find out how students of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City Nigeria understand and stigmatize mental health. Research approach was cross-sectional study and through random sampling method a sample size of 308 respondents was selected for the study. The main research tool was a questionnaire that the researchers developed themselves, which after was verified for the validity of content and face. Data were analyzed through simple percentages and outcomes were shown through charts and tables. Results indicate that majority (59.4%) of respondents strongly agreed that anyone can get mentally ill, (36.7%) agreed that mental health is a component of health or like any other diseases, (37%) of respondents agreed that bullying or abuse can develop psychological problems, and mentally ill patients do not always mean being sad. Also, (55.8%) respondents strongly agreed that mentally ill persons should not be allowed to make decisions, even those on routine events and also that they would be ashamed if people knew that someone in my family had been diagnosed with a mental illness. The results showed that (44.5%) respondents agreed that discussion of problems with someone helps in restoring mental health, doing something enjoyable in fact helps in restoring mental health, they are familiar with Really mindfulness and meditation techniques are being used as mental health strategies, and also that sleeping and rest contributes to mental health wellbeing. Basically, results demonstrate a mix of knowledge and ongoing stigma, which calls for mental health literacy programs, stigma reduction efforts, and peer-support resource promotion within the student population. Keywords: Mental-Health, Awareness, Stigma, Assessment