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

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to examine assessment of awareness and practice for promotion of mental health among students  with a special reference to University of Lagos, Lagos state. Specifically, the study examined  if there is an awareness of mental health among students. The study also  find out if students  develop a positive attitude towards the practice of mental health. The study further evaluate if school management promote mental health among students. Lastly, the study investigate how to improve the awareness of mental health among students. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 77 responses were validated from the survey.  From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that there is an awareness of mental health among students. Also, students  develop a positive attitude towards the practice of mental health. Furthermore school management promote mental health among students. Lastly,there can be an improvement in the awareness of mental health among students by promotion of positive self-esteem,encourage students to eat healthy and provide healthy eating options,provide outlets to relieve anxiety and stress and promote school policies that support mental health such as bullying prevention. The study thereby recommend that an effective public mental health action is needed in the Universities to reduce the burden of disease and the cost of mental illness now and in the future. Also, University healthcare professionals should be aware of their attitude and it effect on their patients. Lastly, attention must be paid to showing empathy to ensure that students with mental health issues feels taken seriously, as a result of this patients feel encouraged to comply with the therapy they engaged in.