CASSON conference: Expert links insecurity, economic hardship to rising mental health crisis

Orisemeke Benjamin

A prominent academic has sounded the alarm on the rapid deterioration of public mental health across the globe and within Nigeria, attributing the crisis directly to the toxic combination of physical insecurity and harsh socio-economic conditions.

Speaking at the 5th Annual Conference of the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Edo State Chapter, Professor Ajiroghene Eric Oghounu of Delta State University, Abraka, argued that the daily stressors of modern life are pushing millions of ordinary citizens into severe psychological distress.

Delivering his keynote address titled “Navigating the Nexus: Insecurity, Socio-Economic Challenges and Mental Health in Contemporary Society,” Oghounu stated that the visible abnormalities in daily societal interactions are clear evidence of a deeper psychological crisis.

“One does not need a psychiatrist to quickly tell us that most actions, activities, and utterances of people around the world today, irrespective of their political, religious, economic, and social statuses, are truly psychopathological and indicative of mental health issues,” Oghounu remarked.

The conference, held at the Faculty of Education Board Room, University of Benin, brought together leading minds in governance, education, and social development. Oghounu noted that the crisis manifests openly through sudden public outbursts, tantrums, street fights, violent protests, and hate speech.

A vicious, cyclical relationship

The speaker emphasized that the relationship between economic hardship, violence, and mental instability is cyclical rather than linear. Insecurity disrupts regional economic activities, plunging families into severe poverty. This po verty, in turn, heightens vulnerability to crime while worsening individual trauma.

He painted a vivid picture of the current national landscape, pointing out that citizens are being forced to live under constant threat.

“Consider the mental health of Nigerians who experienced situations of harm where, for instance, their homes were sacked and residents killed by bandits, terrorists, and invading government army,” Oghounu said, adding that millions now live with the continuous presence of volatile danger.

This trauma is not limited to adults. Citing global data, the scholar warned that prolonged exposure to violence heavily impairs emotional regulation and learning outcomes in school-aged children. Teachers in conflict-prone areas increasingly report children exhibiting deep emotional numbness, withdrawal, or severe aggression.

Economic hardship worsening the strain

Compounding this physical danger are severe socio-economic hurdles, including hyper-inflation, deep inequality, and structural unemployment. Professor Oghounu highlighted the profound psychological toll exacted on the nation’s youth, many of whom face years of joblessness despite holding higher qualifications. This inability to attain financial independence directly erodes self-esteem and creates a pervasive sense of hopelessness.

Faced with extreme adversity, many individuals turn to extreme or dangerous coping mechanisms. The presentation connected the rise of substance abuse, scavenging, and public vulnerability in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps directly to underlying mental health strain caused by institutional failure.

The path forward

To break this destructive cycle, the keynote speaker called for multi-level, coordinated interventions that blend strict security reforms with community empowerment.

At the policy level, he urged governments to prioritize community-based policing initiatives alongside target vocational training schemes to engage unemployed youths. He also recommended that mental health education be formally integrated into school curricula to improve literacy and dismantle long-standing stigmas.

“People must be encouraged to recognise that seeking psychological help is not a sign of weakness but a proactive step towards well-being,” Oghounu declared.

Concluding his address, the don emphasized that addressing this complex intersection is a collective responsibility, urging stakeholders to ensure safety, economic stability, and psychological support are treated as fundamental human rights.