Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors

Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka; Olaniyi Felix Sanni; Adamu Ishaku Akyala; Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu; Elizabeth Une Amuta; Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie; Judith Otieno

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors

Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka

, Olaniyi Felix Sanni^*

, Adamu Ishaku Akyala

, Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu

, Elizabeth Une Amuta

, Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie

, Judith Otieno

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 20 January 2026 Accepted: 4 February 2026 Published: 26 February 2026

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Abstract

Mental health challenges among adolescents in Nigeria remain under-addressed, with low help-seeking rates influenced by stigma, poor awareness, and limited family and school support. This study examines mental health help-seeking sources among adolescents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and identifies factors associated with the use of formal and informal support systems. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving adolescents (10–19 years) from public and private secondary schools, and teachers, across urban and rural FCT. Multistage sampling techniques were utilized to select participants while quantitative data was collected via structured questionnaires from 424 adolescents, and 50-teachers and data analysed using SPSS v28. Results showed that 53.1% of adolescents reported using formal/professional sources of mental health help, while 46.9% relied on informal/non-professional sources. Adolescents primarily sought help from parents (41.3%), school counsellors (27.4%), teachers (12.5%), and friends (11.8%). Urban school location significantly predicted formal help-seeking (AOR = 2.165, p = 0.003). Christian adolescents were more likely to seek formal help compared to Muslims (AOR 2.29: p=0.002). Higher father’s education strongly predicted formal health-seeking, particularly tertiary education (AOR 5.39; p<0.001). The findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic and contextual factors on adolescents’ help-seeking behaviour and underscore the need for strengthened institutional, familial, and community-based mental health support systems.

Published in	World Journal of Public Health (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
Page(s)	43-56
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adolescents, Mental Health Help-Seeking, Family Support, School Support

References

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APA Style

Chukwuemeka, A. C., Sanni, O. F., Akyala, A. I., Jaggu, A. R., Amuta, E. U., et al. (2026). Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors. World Journal of Public Health, 11(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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ACS Style

Chukwuemeka, A. C.; Sanni, O. F.; Akyala, A. I.; Jaggu, A. R.; Amuta, E. U., et al. Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors. World J. Public Health 2026, 11(1), 43-56. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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AMA Style

Chukwuemeka AC, Sanni OF, Akyala AI, Jaggu AR, Amuta EU, et al. Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors. World J Public Health. 2026;11(1):43-56. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16,
  author = {Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka and Olaniyi Felix Sanni and Adamu Ishaku Akyala and Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu and Elizabeth Une Amuta and Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie and Judith Otieno},
  title = {Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {43-56},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20261101.16},
  abstract = {Mental health challenges among adolescents in Nigeria remain under-addressed, with low help-seeking rates influenced by stigma, poor awareness, and limited family and school support. This study examines mental health help-seeking sources among adolescents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and identifies factors associated with the use of formal and informal support systems. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving adolescents (10–19 years) from public and private secondary schools, and teachers, across urban and rural FCT. Multistage sampling techniques were utilized to select participants while quantitative data was collected via structured questionnaires from 424 adolescents, and 50-teachers and data analysed using SPSS v28. Results showed that 53.1% of adolescents reported using formal/professional sources of mental health help, while 46.9% relied on informal/non-professional sources. Adolescents primarily sought help from parents (41.3%), school counsellors (27.4%), teachers (12.5%), and friends (11.8%). Urban school location significantly predicted formal help-seeking (AOR = 2.165, p = 0.003). Christian adolescents were more likely to seek formal help compared to Muslims (AOR 2.29: p=0.002). Higher father’s education strongly predicted formal health-seeking, particularly tertiary education (AOR 5.39; p<0.001). The findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic and contextual factors on adolescents’ help-seeking behaviour and underscore the need for strengthened institutional, familial, and community-based mental health support systems.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors
AU  - Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka
AU  - Olaniyi Felix Sanni
AU  - Adamu Ishaku Akyala
AU  - Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu
AU  - Elizabeth Une Amuta
AU  - Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie
AU  - Judith Otieno
Y1  - 2026/02/26
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 43
EP  - 56
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
AB  - Mental health challenges among adolescents in Nigeria remain under-addressed, with low help-seeking rates influenced by stigma, poor awareness, and limited family and school support. This study examines mental health help-seeking sources among adolescents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and identifies factors associated with the use of formal and informal support systems. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving adolescents (10–19 years) from public and private secondary schools, and teachers, across urban and rural FCT. Multistage sampling techniques were utilized to select participants while quantitative data was collected via structured questionnaires from 424 adolescents, and 50-teachers and data analysed using SPSS v28. Results showed that 53.1% of adolescents reported using formal/professional sources of mental health help, while 46.9% relied on informal/non-professional sources. Adolescents primarily sought help from parents (41.3%), school counsellors (27.4%), teachers (12.5%), and friends (11.8%). Urban school location significantly predicted formal help-seeking (AOR = 2.165, p = 0.003). Christian adolescents were more likely to seek formal help compared to Muslims (AOR 2.29: p=0.002). Higher father’s education strongly predicted formal health-seeking, particularly tertiary education (AOR 5.39; p<0.001). The findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic and contextual factors on adolescents’ help-seeking behaviour and underscore the need for strengthened institutional, familial, and community-based mental health support systems.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka

Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1214-0206
Olaniyi Felix Sanni

Research and Development, Fescosof Data Solutions, Ota, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7761-3604
Adamu Ishaku Akyala

Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4168-6104
Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu

Public Health, Global Health and Infectious Diseases Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4088-1215
Elizabeth Une Amuta

Zoology, Joesph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2407-8104
Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie

Planning Reporting and Accountability, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Abuja, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-8154-3937
Judith Otieno

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3569-8811

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APA Style

Chukwuemeka, A. C., Sanni, O. F., Akyala, A. I., Jaggu, A. R., Amuta, E. U., et al. (2026). Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors. World Journal of Public Health, 11(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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ACS Style

Chukwuemeka, A. C.; Sanni, O. F.; Akyala, A. I.; Jaggu, A. R.; Amuta, E. U., et al. Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors. World J. Public Health 2026, 11(1), 43-56. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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AMA Style

Chukwuemeka AC, Sanni OF, Akyala AI, Jaggu AR, Amuta EU, et al. Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors. World J Public Health. 2026;11(1):43-56. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16,
  author = {Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka and Olaniyi Felix Sanni and Adamu Ishaku Akyala and Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu and Elizabeth Une Amuta and Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie and Judith Otieno},
  title = {Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {43-56},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20261101.16},
  abstract = {Mental health challenges among adolescents in Nigeria remain under-addressed, with low help-seeking rates influenced by stigma, poor awareness, and limited family and school support. This study examines mental health help-seeking sources among adolescents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and identifies factors associated with the use of formal and informal support systems. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving adolescents (10–19 years) from public and private secondary schools, and teachers, across urban and rural FCT. Multistage sampling techniques were utilized to select participants while quantitative data was collected via structured questionnaires from 424 adolescents, and 50-teachers and data analysed using SPSS v28. Results showed that 53.1% of adolescents reported using formal/professional sources of mental health help, while 46.9% relied on informal/non-professional sources. Adolescents primarily sought help from parents (41.3%), school counsellors (27.4%), teachers (12.5%), and friends (11.8%). Urban school location significantly predicted formal help-seeking (AOR = 2.165, p = 0.003). Christian adolescents were more likely to seek formal help compared to Muslims (AOR 2.29: p=0.002). Higher father’s education strongly predicted formal health-seeking, particularly tertiary education (AOR 5.39; p<0.001). The findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic and contextual factors on adolescents’ help-seeking behaviour and underscore the need for strengthened institutional, familial, and community-based mental health support systems.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Mental Health Help-Seeking Sources Among Nigerian Adolescents and Their Associated Factors
AU  - Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka
AU  - Olaniyi Felix Sanni
AU  - Adamu Ishaku Akyala
AU  - Awayimbo Ruth Jaggu
AU  - Elizabeth Une Amuta
AU  - Gertrude Dzigbordi Agbeshie
AU  - Judith Otieno
Y1  - 2026/02/26
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 43
EP  - 56
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.16
AB  - Mental health challenges among adolescents in Nigeria remain under-addressed, with low help-seeking rates influenced by stigma, poor awareness, and limited family and school support. This study examines mental health help-seeking sources among adolescents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and identifies factors associated with the use of formal and informal support systems. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving adolescents (10–19 years) from public and private secondary schools, and teachers, across urban and rural FCT. Multistage sampling techniques were utilized to select participants while quantitative data was collected via structured questionnaires from 424 adolescents, and 50-teachers and data analysed using SPSS v28. Results showed that 53.1% of adolescents reported using formal/professional sources of mental health help, while 46.9% relied on informal/non-professional sources. Adolescents primarily sought help from parents (41.3%), school counsellors (27.4%), teachers (12.5%), and friends (11.8%). Urban school location significantly predicted formal help-seeking (AOR = 2.165, p = 0.003). Christian adolescents were more likely to seek formal help compared to Muslims (AOR 2.29: p=0.002). Higher father’s education strongly predicted formal health-seeking, particularly tertiary education (AOR 5.39; p<0.001). The findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic and contextual factors on adolescents’ help-seeking behaviour and underscore the need for strengthened institutional, familial, and community-based mental health support systems.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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