Enitonna High School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt shone brilliantly last Friday as they won the schools debate at the World Mental Health Day celebration held at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.
The boys in red gave a good account of themselves as they marshalled out strong points to support the proposition that Mental Health Issues Of Adolescents and Teenagers Is Due To Substance Abuse. They beat five other schools to win the contest.
The other schools were Government Girls Secondary School, Orominike, which came a close second, Niger Delta Science School, third, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, fourth, Government Girls secondary School, Rumueme, fifth, while Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri, led from the rear.
Enitonna went home with a giant trophy and cash awards. The first and second runners-up also went home with cash awards.
The Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Rumuigbo, Dr. Iasuaka Akekue, said schools were involved in this year’s celebration because of the increasing wave of substance abuse among students and the need to raise awareness about mental health in schools.
debate at the World Mental Health Day held at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital
Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.
The Chairman of the event, Prof. Solomon Enyindah, lamented that the economic hardship pervading the country was limiting access to mental health services. “The catastrophes we face these days are escalated because of the hard times, job losses and high cost of living. Once your brain is suppressed, any slightest challenge will bring you to the hospital,” he said.
He said the commonest abused substance today is alcohol because it is socially acceptable. “People have been brought straight from a party to the hospital,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the expansion and reconstruction of the neuropsychiatric hospital at Rumuigbo would enhance mental health services in the state.
He said mental health services would soon be expanded to the local government areas so that people could access services within five kilometers of their residence.
Dr. Ishmael Jaja, Director of Medical and Dental Services, Rivers State Health Management Board, said government was already doing something about expanding access to health services through the health insurance policy, which enrollees can join by paying the sum of N15,000
The Mental Health Day event was jointly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt West. The theme of the Day was Access to Services: Mental Health In Catastrophes and Emergencies
