Why Oyo Mental Health Education Is Urgent
Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the integration of mental health education, counselling services, and structured support systems into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the state.
The motion, passed during plenary, highlights growing concerns over the mental wellbeing of young learners and the urgent need for educational reforms that prioritize emotional health alongside academics.
Titled “Need to Integrate Mental Health Education, Counseling Services, and Structured Support Systems in Primary and Secondary Schools in Oyo State,” the motion was co-sponsored by Hon. Olufunke Comforter Olajide (Ibadan North 1), Hon. Rilwan Gbadamosi Saminu (Atisbo/Saki East), Hon. Johnson Ogundele (Oriire), and Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South), who also serves as the House Leader.
While presenting the motion, Hon. Olajide emphasized the urgency of action, citing a recent UNICEF report indicating that one in six Nigerian youths aged 15–24 often struggles with depression and anxiety. She noted that mental health remains a largely overlooked aspect of student wellbeing, despite its direct impact on learning outcomes and long-term development.
The lawmakers identified several contributing factors to student mental health challenges, including academic pressure, bullying, substance use, ADHD, family instability, and socio-economic hardship. Many of these issues, they observed, go undiagnosed due to lack of trained personnel or mental health support within schools.
“Students suffering from trauma, neglect, or domestic abuse are often isolated or mislabeled, leading to poor performance and in some cases, dropping out of school altogether,” the motion stated.
The House raised concern over the current curriculum’s failure to equip both teachers and students with the skills to identify and manage mental distress, noting that students with learning difficulties are often placed in regular classes without adequate support, increasing the risk of stigmatization and emotional breakdown.
The lawmakers warned that if the issue remains unaddressed, it could lead to rising cases of substance abuse, school violence, and a generation of youths unprepared for adulthood.
In its resolution, the Assembly applauded Governor Seyi Makinde’s health sector reforms and his administration’s partnership with UNICEF to enroll 10,000 pupils in the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme.
The motion urged the Executive to:
- Introduce mental health education into school curricula
- Deploy professional counselors across public schools
- Launch school-based awareness clubs and mental health campaigns
- Train teachers to identify early signs of emotional distress
- Ensure at-risk students are covered under the state health scheme
- Formulate inclusive education policies for learners with behavioral or psychological challenges
FortisTV will continue to follow developments on this crucial initiative, which lawmakers say is key to building a more resilient, mentally healthy, and academically productive future for the state’s children.
