Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Substance abuse among adolescents is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern due to its association with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and behavioral problems. 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 were analyzed. A simple random 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 analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, percentages and chi-square test of association.

Results: 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. Chi-square test revealed significant associations between age and awareness, and between gender and awareness levels, suggesting the need for tailored interventions.

Conclusion: Despite high exposure to substance abuse education, important knowledge gaps remain among students regarding the mental health consequences of substance use. Strengthening comprehensive school-based mental health promotion programs and improving the quality of substance abuse education are essential to enhance awareness and reduce risk behaviors among adolescents.