A Clinical Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Dr Otu Egbe, has warned that the rising rate of drug abuse is tearing apart the fabric of society.
Egbe raised the concern on Wednesday while delivering a lecture titled “Issues in Mental Health: Recognition, Diagnosis, and Coping Mechanism”, during the 2025 Media Week organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council.
He expressed concern over the increasing number of young people whose mental health had been compromised by substance abuse.
“It is sad that I see many patients these days with drug-related mental issues, and many are involved in internet fraud, claiming to trade forex,” he said.
He stressed the urgent need for professionals to continue raising awareness about mental health, which he described as a growing “hydra-headed problem.”
Egbe called on parents to closely monitor their children’s activities, noting that peer pressure often led many youths into experimenting with drugs.
He also highlighted the impact of poor nutrition, particularly protein deficiency, on children’s mental development, urging the public to improve their diets for better mental health outcomes.
He encouraged journalists to use social media platforms effectively to spread accurate information on mental health, as most young people were active online.
Also speaking at the event, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, emphasised the importance of regular mental health checks, noting that mental instability did not only mean being confined to an asylum.
He advised journalists to manage their stress levels, given the mental demands of their profession.
The NUJ Media Week features a series of events and will conclude with a thanksgiving service at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar, on Sunday.
NAN
