By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Bullying, drug abuse and untreated psychological distress can undermine students’ confidence, academic performance and future ambitions, mental health experts have warned during an awareness programme for secondary school students in Kaduna State.

The experts spoke at Government Secondary School, Kakuri, during an outreach organised by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Aurora Flotilla Deck, Kaduna Branch, in collaboration with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The programme, held on Monday to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2026, focused on helping students recognise mental health challenges, resist substance abuse and seek professional support when necessary.

Speaking at the event, Dr Bello Muhammed, a senior registrar at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, and Head of Mental Health Services for Kaduna State, identified bullying, anxiety, depression and social withdrawal as issues that could affect young people’s psychological well-being.

He urged teachers and parents to pay attention to sudden changes in students’ behaviour, declining academic performance and loss of interest in activities, warning against dismissing such signs or stigmatising affected children.

Muhammed said bullying could have lasting effects on young people’s self-esteem, particularly when they are repeatedly subjected to verbal abuse, intimidation and negative labelling.

Drawing on a recent outreach at a neighbouring secondary school, he disclosed that psychiatric professionals had identified students who needed further assessment, including one experiencing severe psychological distress requiring urgent attention.

He called for a supportive school environment where students could discuss their challenges without fear of ridicule and receive appropriate professional care.

Also addressing the students, Muhammad Shuaibu, Assistant State Commander of Narcotics and NDLEA Coordinator in charge of Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Kaduna Command, warned that drug abuse could derail educational and career ambitions.

He explained that problematic drug use could progress from experimentation to regular consumption, dependence and addiction, with potentially serious consequences for physical health, psychological well-being, family relationships and academic performance.

Shuaibu cautioned students against peer pressure and the misuse of substances, including cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and controlled prescription medicines.

He also urged students to encourage friends struggling with substance use to seek help rather than subject them to ridicule or discrimination.

The NDLEA official advised affected families to seek professional counselling and treatment, stressing that recovery was possible with appropriate medical and psychological support.

Earlier, Benjamin Chinoso, PhD, a member of the National Association of Seadogs, urged students not to allow bullying and low self-esteem to determine their future.

Recounting his own experience, Chinoso said he struggled with low self-esteem after being bullied while growing up but eventually developed the confidence to speak publicly.

He encouraged students not to conclude that they were incapable of succeeding simply because they found a subject or task difficult.

Chinoso also urged teachers to recognise signs of emotional distress and advised students facing personal challenges to seek guidance from their school’s Guidance and Counselling Unit.

“There is a solution to whatever cases; just reach out to the relevant authorities,” he said, encouraging students to seek help rather than suffer in silence.

In his vote of thanks, the Vice Principal, Academics, Mr Sunday Anche, welcomed the intervention and expressed concern about reports of drug sales within the surrounding community.

Although he said those allegedly responsible were unclear, Anche called for further discussions with relevant stakeholders to address the concern.

He thanked the organisers and their partners, expressing hope that continued engagement would help students develop positive habits and make informed decisions.

The programme was organised under the 2026 World Mental Health Day theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” which highlights the importance of listening to people affected by mental health challenges and translating their experiences into meaningful action.