Assessment of Quality School Based Mental Health Services in Some Selected Secondary Schools of Federal Capital Territory- Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Schools are learning environment where cognitive ability of learners experiencing some level of pressure which consequently can affect their mental wellbeing. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of school based mental health services in secondary schools at Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design. A total of 383 students, 18 school health workers and 72 form teachers from the six (6) selected FCT secondary schools were recruited for the study using a multi staged sampling technique. One checklist and three structured self-administered questionnaires were developed based on objectives of the study and were administered to the respondents. Ethical Clearance was obtained. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27 and presented using descriptive statistic; frequencies, percentages, ratios and mean scores. The findings of the study revealed that both the human and material resources are poor with only 37% available in the schools, the schools provide some mental health services on the average with an aggregate mean score of 2.93.