Volume 7, Issue 7, July – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 IJISRT22JUL1506 www.ijisrt.com 1613 A New Perspective on Mental Illness Prevention Strategy: Utilizing the Socio-Ecological Model Prevention Approach with Nigerian University Students Okeke, Onyinye Ifeoma Department of Psychology, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria Dr. Ignatius Nnamdi Ijere (Corresponding Author) Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University, New York, USA. Abstract:- Generally, being a student in Nigeria comes with everyday stressors and harsh realities. For instance, the high frequency at which lecturers go on strikes has sometimes made some students stay in school more than designed. However, Nigerian students also experience other determinants that affect their mental well-being besides these everyday stressors. These determinants include inconsistency of the academic calendar, the harshness of their new environment (particularly new entry students), social problems, gender inequality, poverty, insecurity, and academic calendar instability. This study aimed to present the prevalence and causes of mental disorders among Nigerian university students and thus, propose a new perspective toward preventing mental illness disorders among Nigerian students using a socio-economic model. I. INTRODUCTION There is a growing interest in the study of mental health; this has garnered varying responses, theories, and hypotheses over the years. Mental health is an individual's cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being, which denotes an absence of mental illness [Felman,2020]. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" [WHO,2001, p.3]. Mental illness prevention is a growing field in mental health studies that emphasizes identifying mental illness risk factors to decrease symptoms, incidences, prevalence, and gravity [Le et al., 2021]. WHO defines mental illness prevention as any preemptive action or technique to decrease mental illness risk and symptoms while encouraging aspects that enhance the individual's mental well-being [WHO, 2004]. Another definition of mental illness prevention describes it as any action geared at "reducing the incidence, prevalence, recurrence of mental disorders, the time spent with symptoms, or the risk condition for a mental illness, preventing or delaying recurrences and also decreasing the impact of illness in the affected person, their families and the society" [Mrazek & Haggerty,1994,p.32]. Mental illness is not limited to any distinct group, demography, ethnic region, religion, country, or continent. WHO reports about 450 million people with mental illness globally and that one in every four people will eventually have a mental illness [WHO, 2004]. Mental illness is like any other medical or physical illness with a biological basis; however, the focus of mental health interventions is the promotion of positive well-being, self-esteem, mood, perceptions, thoughts, and actions [Malla, Joober & Garcia, 2015]. The mental health sector in Nigeria has experienced gross neglect and attention, with an attendant lack of data and statistics on mental health illness and services, thereby making it difficult to identify strategies for prevention [WHO, 2006]. Nigeria has about a paltry 300 Psychiatrists for the 200 million population it has [Ugochukwu et al., 2021], out of which 64 million are estimated to be suffering from different mental illnesses [Richard, Gauvin & Raine, 2011]. With outdated mental health legislation that lacks adequate support from relevant authorities, the care of mentally ill individuals is often left to their family members, who often do not have the financial resources to cater to their mental health needs [Ugochukwu et al., 2021]. Mental health is an enormous public health problem in Nigeria, with little attention given to it by the government [Adewuya,2005]. Nigeria has been purported to have the highest caseload of depression incidence in Africa [Aljazeera,2021], with a landmass of about 924,000 square kilometers and most of its population below 25 years of age [WHO,2006]; Nigeria has been described as a lower income group country. The total expenditure on health is pegged at 3.7% of gross domestic product, and just a meager 3.3% of this figure goes to mental health [WHO, 2006]. Prevention of diseases has been highlighted as a crucial factor in decreasing the severity of any illness [Colizzi, Lasalvia & Ruggeri, 2020]. Most mental health illnesses occur during the transition from infancy to young adulthood [Kessler et al., 2005]. Studies have shown a high incidence of mental illness among university students [ACH,2016]. Attempts and incidences of suicide among Nigerian undergraduates have become a cause for concern [Kio, Omeonu, & Agbede, 2015]. Most mental illnesses develop before the individual is 18 years or 25 years [Kessler et al., 2007]. The transitional phase of exit from secondary school features the start of university education and adulthood. The change in environment and