From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin
In a bid to address the pressing issue of mental health care in Nigeria, stakeholders gathered at an event themed “Breaking Barriers: Transforming Mental Health Care in Nigeria”,organized by Yolly Initiative, held at Sinclair Hotel in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday.
The event convener, Mr. Yahaya Buhari Olalekan,in a virtual keynote address delivered emphasising the link between poverty and mental instability.
He outlined the Yolly Initiative’s mission to eradicate the stigma associated with mental health issues, rallying support from all stakeholders present.
The Commissioner for Health, Mrs Amina Imam, represented by Dr. Musiliyu Adewale, underlined the government’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges in Nigeria.
Dr. Musiliyu Adewale, representing the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminah El Imam, conveyed her goodwill message. In her presentation, she highlighted the World Health Organisation’s definition of health as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. She acknowledged the urgent need to address the various mental health issues and challenges in Nigeria.
Citing statistics, Dr. Adewale revealed that while one in five adults in the US and one in six in the UK face mental health issues, in Nigeria, one in eight persons is battling with some form of mental health condition, such as anxiety, panic disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
She outlined the government’s initiatives for mental health support, including training and retraining healthcare professionals and conducting community outreach programs.
Amongst Resource persons at the the occasion, includes Dr. Aremu Sa’ad, a Consultant Psychiatrist from the Department of Behavioral Science at UITH, Dr. Jumoke Oladele, a lecturer and researcher from the Department of Education at the University of Ilorin and Director of National Orientation NOA, Mr Segun Adeyemi and others
Dr. Aremu, a consultant psychiatrist at UITH, emphasized the importance of refraining from using the word “madness” when addressing those with mental health issues. He stressed that mental health is a crucial component of overall health and that affordable and accessible healthcare is essential to discourage reliance on traditional treatment methods, which may not always be practical.
In her presentation, Dr. Jumoke Oladele went into the complexities of mental health challenges, going beyond stress to highlight various conditions such as depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse.
She introduced innovative solutions like the far-leaf digital platform, offering participants access to mental health support and resources by scanning a QR code to know their mental state.
The representative of the National Orientation Agency in Kwara State commended the Yolly Initiative’s efforts to raise awareness about mental health in the state and expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate in taking the message to remote areas.
In a presentation titled “Empowering Communities: Advocacy and Education for Mental Health Situations,” the representative advocated for more support in raising awareness, sensitising, and collaborating with stakeholders.
The presence and support of leading CSOs and NGOs, including the Ilorin Global Shapers Community and Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, added weight to the discourse.
The event, which attracted leading media houses such as Punch, Sun, and The Nation newspapers, aimed to improve awareness of mental health support and advocate for better access to affordable healthcare, community support, and the reduction of mental health stigma in society for those with mental health conditions.
With a shared commitment to breaking barriers, the participants pledged to drive positive change in Nigeria’s mental health landscape.