The Nasarawa State government has emphasised the importance of regular mental health check-ups for adolescents to prevent mental illnesses, which are currently rampant in the country.

Gaza Gwamna, state commissioner for health, made the call at a press conference on Tuesday in Lafia as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week and World Mental Health Day.

Mr Gwamna urged parents, guardians, and caregivers to prioritise the mental well-being of adolescents and encourage them to speak openly about their emotional struggles without fear of stigmatisation.

He explained that regular check-ups can help identify early signs of mental health issues and help towards timely interventions.

“Mental health is an integral part of overall health, and we recognise the need to prioritise mental health support systems, especially for adolescents navigating the challenges of growing up.

“It is important for parents, guardians, and caregivers to assist the young people to develop the resilience needed to navigate challenges during adolescence and transition into healthy adulthood,” he added.

The commissioner noted that adolescents are vulnerable to mental health conditions and, if not carefully handled, can degenerate, thereby affecting their academic performance, decision-making and overall health.

Mr Gwamna listed some of the common mental health disorders to include anxiety, depression and attention deficit, among others.

He urged that anyone experiencing any of the disorders should be given support to overcome them.

He said that regular check-ups and support from loved ones would have a positive impact on the mental well-being of adolescents, enabling them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The commissioner advised the public to visit any government hospital for a check-up to assess their mental status and appreciated the media and other partners for their collaboration in improving the health of the people.

He, therefore, called on the members of the public to seek appropriate information from medical experts and dispel insinuations and misinformation about the causes of mental illness.

(NAN)