Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation has urged students to shun drug and screen abuse in order to be focused and become champions in their chosen careers and endeavours.
The Executive Director of the global Foundation, Rev. Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, gave the advice during a “One-Day Awareness on Mental Health, Digital Literacy and Screen Addiction” to students of Mater Carmeli College, Akpuoga-Nike, Enugu.
Nwachukwu noted that it was necessary to expose students to the dangers of drug abuse and harmful effects of screen addiction to their growth, health and maturity as well as their immediate social environment.
He said that as the interactive session with the students shows that they are active users of the social/online media; it lies with elders, teachers, caregivers and parents to guide them properly on positive footprints and posts within the social media space.
According to him, positive posts and responsible usage of the social media will help project them positively in the near future as those that want to know someone more go to the social/online media to check the person’s previous posts, online associations and friends.
“We are focusing on the students to ensure we catch-them-young and ensure that they are not being influenced by negative influencers in taking to drug abuse, screen abuse and engaging in negative social/online media posts.
“The awareness seeks to make students open up to positive social environment and engagement meant to ensure they have positive mindset, good coping skills and mentality of success in all they do in life,” he said.
Earlier, a Child Psychologist, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, said that the society most times neglects the tendency for drug abuse and depression in children especially students when they are influenced by negative family attitudes and peer pressures such as physical and cyber-bullying.
Mrs Nwachukwu, who is the Co-Founder of the Foundation, noted that unhappy, abusive and violent home (family) setting and lack of care and love towards children can trigger well-nurtured children to derail and take to depression leading to drug intake and later drug dependence and abuse.
She said: “As a Foundation, we have a centre that we give therapeutic counselling and cure to all forms of depression as well as drug, screen and other forms of abuses and get people back to track.
“We have got outstanding results in these services the foundation offer at our Independence Layout Office here in Enugu over the years. Our people, families, parents and caregivers should seek help to redeem our love ones.”
Speaking, the Chairman, Rangers international Football Club Foundation, Coach Ebere Amaraizu, said that students needed to engage in sporting activities as they enhance their physical, mental and social abilities.
Amaraizu, who spoke on “Multi-Sports Engagement,” stressed on the use of multiple sports engagement by students as a positive coping device to lessen stress, fighting off depression, negative pastimes and bad companies.
Responding, the Principal of the School, Sis. Anthonia Ochike, thanked the Foundation for the awareness and sound knowledge imparted on the students as well as the sacrifice to locate the school.
“We are grateful for finding us and reaching out to us notwithstanding the difficulties encountered. We appreciate the various gift items donated to the school as well,” Ochike, who was represented by Sis. Nkechi Mbah, said.
A student of the school, Master Emeka Okoh, thanked the Foundation and its partner for enlightening the students on how best to make use of the social/online media, avoid drug and substance abuse as well as having a balanced and positive social life-style.
Highlights of the event were the donation of a complete Chess Board by the Foundation to the school as well as presentation of footballs by Rangers international Football Club Foundation to the school.
