Civil Service organisations have called on government to prioritise mental wellness of Nigerians by addressing economic downturn, high cost of living, insecurity and other issues that characterise daily battle of Nigerians.
The organisations made the call while staging a walk for mental health wellness in Akure, Ondo State capital on Tuesday in commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2023.
The organisations were Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Ondo Network, Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Sojitade Foundation, Coalition of Nigerian Youths on Security and Safety Affairs. Peace Corps of Nigeria, Muslim Youth Organization, Cadet Force Initiative, Royal Ranger, Men of Order of Discipline, Kids and Teens and Go movement Initiative.
Several reports have shown that millions of Nigerians battle mental health issues.
The Health Lead of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ondo State Network, Morayo Itiolu said that the current hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal by the government had worsened depression and other mental health illnesses in the country.
The Public Health expert said youths are majorly suffer mental health issues, calling on the government to provide job opportunities and social amenities in the country.
“When social amenities are being provided and people get stable jobs, that will reduce mental health issues in the society.
“People will hardly get frustrated and will be focused on making a living for themselves but when these things are not there and with the current economic downturn in the country, mental health cases will increase.
She called on government to create more facilities that cater for mental health of citizens, where people can go to to seek help without being judged or stigmatised.
Itiolu also said that organisations and individuals must all create awareness about mental health in the society.
The Communication Coordinator, Red Cross Society, Ondo State, Adedapo Adeboye said it was important to raise awareness about mental health as many Nigerians battle mental health issues.
Adeboye said many people do not take cognisance of their mental health and this had exacerbated mental health issues in the country.
He said a lot of people commit suicide because they could not get help, even though suicide is not an option or solution to their problems.
He said health professionals and psychologists must treat mental health issues as important and avoiding discarding such cases when brought to them.
Adeboye called on the government to look into issues such as economic downturn, insecurity and increasing cost of living that affect the mental health of Nigerians.
Also, the Ondo State Coordinator of the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security & Safety Affairs (CONYSA), Mr. Osewa Adesina Vincent said many issues were causing mental health issues for Nigerians, which include insecurity and economic hardship.
He said “depression is real and a mentally-stable person will not go into crime or other social vices in the society.”
He suggested that the government must add mental health into school curriculum.
“We should look at it from the root. We should have topics related to mental health to our school curriculum. When children acquire knowledge about managing mental health from when they are young, it gives them the capacity to manage it when they are grown.
“The removal of subsidy has affected a lot of people. Government must implement measures to stem down economic hardship in the country.
Vincent stressed that economic frustration has pushed many people into social vices in a bid to survive.
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