Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 11

Background: Substance abuse among adolescents is increasingly recognised as a significant public health concern due to its association with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and behavioural problems. Mental health disorders constitute a significant proportion of the burden of disease among adolescents and young people. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, faces substantial mental health and substance use challenges among its youth population. Schools provide an important platform for promoting mental health awareness and preventing substance use among students. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding students’ awareness of substance abuse and its mental health implications in secondary schools in Taraba State, Nigeria.

Aim: This study assessed mental health promotion and awareness regarding substance abuse among students of Salihu Dogo Secondary School, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and a sample of 320 valid responses was analysed. A multistage sampling technique was used to select participants across different class levels. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire titled Mental Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Awareness Questionnaire (MHPSAAQ). Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28, employing descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests of association.

Results: The majority of respondents were aged 15–18 years (59.7%), with males constituting 78.1% of the sample. Findings revealed mixed levels of awareness among students. While 95.0% acknowledged that substance abuse poses mental health risks, only 34.4% recognized that substance abuse can directly affect mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, 61.9% believed substance abuse does not affect academic performance. A majority of respondents (70.3%) perceived adolescents as more vulnerable to substance abuse, and 89.1% identified peer influence as a key contributing factor. Although 98.4% of students reported awareness of school resources and 96.6% had received classroom education on substance abuse and mental health, 91.2% felt that the available information was insufficient. Notably, 97.2% expressed willingness to participate in school-based substance abuse prevention programs, and 69.1% acknowledged the role of teachers and school counsellors in promoting mental health. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between gender and awareness (χ² = 22.650, p = 0.001) and between age and awareness (χ² = 36.518, p < 0.001), indicating that awareness varies across demographic groups.

Conclusion: Despite high exposure to substance abuse education, important knowledge gaps remain among students regarding the mental health consequences of substance use. The presence of significant demographic differences further underscores the need for targeted and age-appropriate interventions. Strengthening comprehensive school-based mental health promotion programs and improving the quality and depth of substance abuse education are essential to enhance awareness and reduce risk behaviours among adolescents.