The Acting Hospital Director of Pantang Hospital, Dr Yennusom Maalug, has cautioned students against experimenting with alcohol, cannabis and other drugs out of curiosity or peer pressure.
He said substance abuse could negatively affect physical and mental health, academic performance, relationships and future career prospects.
He said the warning signs included sudden behavioural changes, poor academic performance, withdrawal from family and friends, financial difficulties, aggression and poor personal hygiene.
He, therefore, advised students to resist negative peer influence, choose friends wisely and adopt healthy coping strategies such as exercising, pursuing hobbies and speaking to trusted adults instead of turning to drugs.
Appeal
Dr Maalug further appealed to parents, teachers and school authorities to support students facing mental health or substance abuse challenges without stigmatising or judging them, stressing that early intervention, counselling and family support were key to preventing more serious problems.
Dr Maalug said this last Friday at a health education seminar organised by the Aburi Old Girls Association (AOGA) 2001 Year Group in Accra.
The programme, which was held in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association of Ghana (PIWA), was to sensitise students of the Aburi Girls' Senior High School to mental health, sexual and substance abuse prevention.
The seminar formed part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the AOGA 2001 Year Group and the 10th anniversary of PIWA.
It sought to equip the students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health, safety and well-being.
At the ceremony, the PIWA donated medical supplies to the Aburi Girls SHS.
Essential
Dr Maalug said mental health was an essential part of overall health and should not be associated only with severe mental illness.
He explained that mental health referred to a person's emotional, psychological and social well-being, adding that anyone could experience mental health challenges regardless of age or social background.
Well-being
Opening the seminar, the President of the AOGA 2001 Year Group, Afua Frempong, said success was measured not only by academic excellence or professional achievement but also by physical, mental and emotional well-being.
She recalled that the association had earlier organised a career and leadership seminar for the students and had promised to return with another programme as part of its silver jubilee celebrations.
Delivering the welcome address, the President of the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association of Ghana (PIWA), Dr William Adum Addo, described the seminar as timely, saying the topics had a direct impact on the emotional, psychological and social well-being of young people.
Dr Adum Addo said PIWA remained committed to promoting quality health care and contributing to national development through initiatives that supported the health and well-being of young people.
Appreciation
For her part, the Assistant Headmistress (Domestic) of Aburi Girls' Senior High School, Madam Rita Biney, expressed appreciation to the Aburi Old Girls Association (AOGA) 2001 Year Group and the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association of Ghana (PIWA) for organising the seminar.
