Social Media and Mental Health Information: The Input of Aproko Doctor’s Facebook Page to Youths

This research evaluated how Aproko Doctor's Facebook page contributes to mental health awareness and message uptake among young people in Anyigba, a semi-urban community in Kogi State, Nigeria. Three objectives guided the investigation: determining the frequency of youth exposure to Aproko Doctor's posts, measuring the level of awareness generated, and assessing the degree to which mental health messages were adopted. The study drew upon the Uses and Gratifications Theory and Social Cognitive Theory as its theoretical framework. A survey design was adopted, with data gathered from 384 respondents aged 15–35 years through a structured questionnaire employing a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics comprising frequencies, percentages, and mean scores were computed using SPSS version 21. The results showed that respondents had considerable exposure to Aproko Doctor's posts and experienced notable improvements in mental health awareness, including better recognition of stress symptoms, dispelling of false beliefs, and stronger acknowledgment of the value of professional help. Adoption of health messages was moderate, as youths employed coping mechanisms and motivated their peers, but demonstrated reluctance to pursue professional treatment or abandon detrimental behaviors. The study concludes that although social media advocacy effectively raises awareness, supplementary offline initiatives and professional mental health services are essential to promote lasting behavioral transformation among young people.