Parental Influence, Adolescents Substance Abuse and Mental Illness in Communities in Oyo State

Abstract

Globally, mental health disorders among adolescents have become a pressing public health concern, ranking among the leading contributors to morbidity and long-term disability. Conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and conduct-related behavioral problems are consistently reported as some of the most prevalent causes of psychological burden among this age group.¹ These mental health issues not only affect individual well-being but also place significant strain on families, schools, and broader health care systems. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, the risk of adolescent mental illness is intensified by socioeconomic disparities, political instability, cultural stigmatization of mental health issues, and limited availability of specialized health services.
Adolescents in such contexts often endure multiple stressors simultaneously, such as poverty, family conflict, exposure to community violence, and academic pressure, all of which contribute to psychological distress.² Unlike in high-income settings where mental health services may be more accessible, adolescents in resource-constrained environments typically face barriers such as inadequate health infrastructure, shortage of trained professionals, and deep-rooted stigma that discourages help-seeking behaviors. Consequently, many young people remain undiagnosed and untreated, thereby increasing the severity and chronicity of mental health problems over time.