Peer pressure, joblessness, drug abuse and involvement of children by parents to purchase hard drugs have been identified as some of the factors responsible for the increasing cases of mental illness among youths in the country.

The founder Emmanuel Rehabilitation centre, Oore, Doctor Adeniyi Lawal stated this during the annual thanksgiving of the centre held to commemorate world mental health day over the weekend at Oore village.

Doctor Lawal who said inordinate ambition and greed by youths also accounted for the rising cases of mental problem in Nigeria said parents should create enough time for their children and ensure their moral upbringing.

Speaking on the condition of the centre, Doctor Lawal said more than ten patients out of the sixty two at his disposal who had recovered at the centre had been reunited with their families.

The mental health expert who commended the state governor for reaching out to the centre however said hospital facilities such as bed, vehicles, fund and vocational facilities were needed to boost their operations.

High point of the event were drama presentation by recovered patients, and special prayer for the centre and the patients at the centre.

Some of the patients including Mujidat Lamidi, Taylor Oladapo and Fatima Ibrahim commended Doctor Lawal for restoring their health and appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to assist the centre through the provision of equipment that would enhance the performance of the centre.

Rotimi Famakin