Youth and Mental Health  (Mental Health Issues)

We at PRAWA do not in any way neglect the urgency required in tackling the challenge of youth and mental health conditions; it has been a major issue for us, especially for the fact that both government and non-governmental institutions have not paid serious attention to these challenges and the potential effects it pose for us as a nation

As the world celebrate the International Youth Day, PRAWA joins its voice and Action in proclaiming the need and urgency for attention to be paid to mental health challenges in Africa

Considering the number of youths (20^th of world’s youth)[1] with mental health conditions the undeniable fact that most (Only 20% of youths with mental health received treatment)[2] of these youths do not have access to mental health services and unavailability of mental health services should become a concern that require state of emergency in our mental health service system

Notable among the challenge is our observation that 7%[3] of persons awaiting trial in Enugu prison, Nigeria are persons classified as Asylum Inmates and secluded from other prisoners without access to mental health service. our concern indeed especially as we celebrate the International Youth day is the fact that over 70% of those incarcerated as Asylum inmates are persons within the age of 18 – 45years

We say no to such acts, and we at PRAWA join our voice to ECHO the following  

–       They need SUPPORT not Criminalization and Imprisonment

–       Let’s talk about INCLUSIONnot SECLUSION

–       Let’s talk about SERVICE PROVISION  

In response to these issues, PRAWA in partnership with other youth organizations is organizing the following programs to help prevent and provide basic information about mental health and how to handle stigmatization

–       Basic and Advanced Employability Skill Training for youths in the South East of Nigeria scheduled for 23^rd August 2014

–       Mental Health and How to Overcome Stigma 

–       National Consultative Workshop on Mental Health and Justice (29th Sept 2014, Abuja) in partnership with Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Psychiatric Hospitals, Nigeria Prisons, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.