Stories by Ajuma Edwina Ogiri
Abuja
A non-governmental organisation, Gede Foundation, has encouraged people suffering mental health challenges to get treatment and talk to specialists. It also encouraged the public not to stigmatise people who have such challenges.
Gede’s Director of Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Management, Godwin Etim, said at an awareness programme in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Delivery Agency (NPHCDA) in Mpape Community, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that relative of or sufferers always shy away from discussing mental health issues which has impeded them from finding solutions to it.
He said: “Most people shy away mental health challenges, even though it is clear that they need to do something about it. Today, we are celebrating the World Mental Health Day by creating more awareness and letting the people know that mental health challenges are real and can be worse if we do not join ranks and face reality.
“Mental health challenges are here with us, they are real and can wreak havoc if we continue in denial,” he said, as he advised those who experience them to ask helpful questions, reject stigma, watch out for the tell-tale signs and engage professional help.”
Also speaking at the event, the head, Family Participation and Social Mobilisation of NPHCDA, Chris Elemuwa, said the board had no specific programme designed for mental health, it was joining forces with organisations such as Gede to create new discourse and accommodate the aspect in its programme for rural communities.
“Primary healthcare delivery is our focus in the NPHCDA and anything that concerns the health of Nigerians is our primary objective and we take it to heart. If it promotes communal health and profits Nigerians, you will find us there,” he said.
The Chief of Mpape, Abubakar Ibrahim Gimba, thanked the foundation and the NPHCDA for their efforts and their concern for the people of the community and its health challenges, just as he encouraged them never to relent in their efforts at being in the forefront of advocating for health issues.
About 140 women were in attendance to receive medical advice and check-up.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10 every year. It is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.
