Enugu prioritises youth mental health and physical well-being — Commissioner
Oct. 21, 2025 | Enugu
The Enugu State Government says it is prioritising youth mental health and physical well-being through deliberate policies and partnerships aimed at nurturing a healthier, more productive generation.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, stated this on Tuesday during the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW) held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Speaking on the theme “Thriving Inside and Out,” Ugwu said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah had placed youth mental health and development at the core of its policy framework through targeted interventions in health, education, and empowerment.
He commended MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices for partnering with the Ministry, noting that the government was intentionally investing in adolescents through projects like the Smart Green Schools across all 260 political wards to promote inclusive education and enhance youth mental health.
“We ensure no adolescent is left out of school — that’s the first step in preventing adverse health outcomes,” Ugwu said, highlighting the link between education, physical health, and youth mental health.
The commissioner said the state also guarantees at least one nutritious meal daily for schoolchildren as part of a holistic plan to support physical growth and mental development.
He added that marathon races and sports festivals introduced by the government were designed to strengthen physical fitness, promote youth mental health, and reduce risky behaviours among young people.
According to him, the Ministry is expanding health education programmes to empower adolescents to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and well-being.
Ugwu also praised the governor’s wife, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, for her initiatives on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, which have positively impacted adolescent girls across communities and schools.
“All of these efforts are geared towards mental stability and empowerment. When opportunities are created, youth mental health improves,” he said, urging parents, caregivers, NGOs, and communities to support these efforts.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Uche Chukwu Okenwa, observed that adolescents face increasing challenges such as anxiety, depression, peer pressure, drug abuse, and the effects of digital overload.
He said the Mbah administration understood that promoting physical health without addressing youth mental health would be incomplete, hence the state’s commitment to fostering mental resilience among young people.
Mr. Elvis Umeh, Regional Manager of MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, represented by Mr. China Agha, said the organisation was addressing barriers that limit access to youth-friendly health services through behavioural change communication and mental health education in schools. Visit http://gmtnewsng.com for more breaking News.
