The federal government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian youth enjoy sound mental health in order to contribute their quota to the overall development of their fatherland.
Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, stated this in Abuja during a ministerial roundtable and launch of policy document on mental health, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The minister called on all stakeholders to tackle the challenge of mental health collectively, saying: “it’s time to draw all stakeholders together to engage in conversation around mental health as it is fundamental to overall health care.”
A press statement by Head, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mrs. Maryam Umar Yusuf, Thursday, the minister described the National Mental Health Act of 2021 as a milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to mental health, allowing for the promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental health conditions.
She said the key provision of the Act include integration of mental health into primary healthcare, protection of the rights of persons with mental health conditions, and strategies for community-based mental health services.
The minister added that it is pivotal to include mental health in the National Health Insurance Scheme of the country, noting that the theme of the conference; “Achieving Universal Health Coverage for Mental Health” was apt because the mental health of a person affects how he thinks, feels, and acts, saying it is the first step towards a healthy society.
The minister observed that achieving universal health coverage for mental health means ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality mental health services without facing financial hardship.
She revealed that, to this end, the ministry was planning to establish a professional department that would be dedicated to the mental well-being of the youth.
Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, while launching the policy document, said his ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, facilitated the process of enacting the National Mental Health Act to promote and protect the rights of persons with mental health conditions.
