Research Article
Izibeloko Omi Jack-ide
Abstract
The stigma associated with mental disorders can have a considerable impact on several aspects on the affected persons and their families. The study aimed to assess secondary school students’ awareness and attitude towards mental health disorders. An analytical descriptive survey design was used to collect data from five public secondary schools in the Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. 195 senior secondary schools students in level three (SSS III) (representing 26 percent) of the total population were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Results show that 61% have little or no awareness on types of information, and 75% on sources of information. While both positive and negative attitude towards mental health disorders exist, students’ with positive attitude differ significantly from those with negative attitude. The need for training program to target this receptive population in the belief that improving their perception of mental health disorder will discourage the stigma associated with the disorder, and dispel the associated fear and false beliefs.