INFLUENCE OF LIBRARIANS AND MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS COLLABORATION ON MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY INFORMATION DISSEMINATION TO YOUTH IN RURAL AREAS, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was on Influence of librarians and mental health practitioners collaboration on mental health literacy information dissemination to youth in rural areas, North Central Nigerian. Survey research design method was adopted for the study. The total population of the youths under study was 108,737. The sample size of the youth's population was 383 drawn from a sample size table for determining the sample size of a population. Purposive method of sampling was employed to sample six (6) participants from the public libraries and public health centers under study. Questionnaires were used as instruments for data collection. 383 copies of questionnaire administered, 352 copies were filled, returned and used for the analysis. Descriptive statistical tools involving frequency counts and percentages, mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. The findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between information dissemination, collaboration between librarians and mental health practitioners and mental health literacy. The study recommended among others that the ministries of information and ministries of health in the North-central states should form a consortium that facilitates and oversees collaboration between public librarians and mental health practitioners for a sustainable boost to the mental health literacy of the rural youths.