..as CMD bemoans increased rate of mental illnesses due to economic hardship

 

 

In an effort to contribute to the promotion of mental health awareness campaign in Nigeria, the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health and Wellness of Rotary club District 9125 Zone 1, on Tuesday championed donation of relief materials to support the upkeep of mental patients at Ondo state Neuropsychiatric hospital,  Akure.

Addressing the management, staff and patients of the hospital in Oda road Akure, the Rotary District Chairman on Mental Health Initiative, Pag. Olusoji Ijidale,  noted that the initiative aimed at raising awareness on Mental health needs, to erase the stigma associated with caring about emotional well-being and to work on improving access to mental health services.

Represented by the President-Elect of Rotary Club Akure Metro, Rotn. Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare, the District Chairman described mental health as a fundamental human right which required more awareness to discourage stigmatisation.

According to him, one in eight people worldwide live with a form of mental health condition ,while 85% of people in low and middle-income countries do not receive treatment at all.

“Mental health helps us to determine how to make healthy choices, handle stress and relate with others. It is a pathway to total well-being as it is important at every stage of our lives; that is from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.

“ It is a known fact that  performing  acts of kindness is a very effective  step to protecting  our own sense of well-being  and to make us withstand the challenges of life. At Rotary,  we live those findings”. He said.

Earlier in his introductory remarks, Rotn. Olayade Olasunkanmi informed that  the programme was being held in different cities, purposefully to extend hands of love to the mental illness  patients, as he emphasised the importance of good mental state of health.

Speaking on the topic, “Mental health and pathways to well-being”, the Chief Medical Director  of the hospital, Dr. Sunday Sajo underscored how investment in mental health can help individuals to navigate the economic crisis in the country which had led to widespread hardships, disappointment, depression and suicide, as a result of the difficulty people encountered to acquire basic needs.

The CMD emphasised the need for ability to adapt to challenges which constitute major stress to people, noting that stress is how we respond to challenges, especially psychological aspects and that our ability to manage psychological stress required resilience which led to survival.

He said: “Mental health enables individuals to live well. Anybody can develop Mental health issues and the inability to cope lead to mental health challenges which deter the victim from functioning well in the society”.

Dr. Sajo described mental health issue as one of the neglected sectors globally, while calling on government, private organizations and individuals to  invest in mental health, noting that factors that can change the prevalence of mental health challenge required the responsibility of all.

“Investing in mental health will go a long  way to increase individuals’ ability to cope in the midst of economic hardship and be able to think of the right judgement to tackle challenges”. He asserted.

He lamented how the current economic hardship affected those who already have mental issues or other health challenges like hypertension as they are finding it difficult to procure their drugs leading to increased cases  of mental breakdown. 

He, therefore, commended the kind gesture of the Rotary club for deeming it fit to contribute to the promotion of mental health campaign,  while charging every individual to invest in their mental health through healthy lifestyle and behaviors. “To reduce the prevalence of mental health problems, the well-to-do individuals should invest in mental health care like Rotary club”, he opined.

Though, he acknowledged the fact that investing in proper diet nowadays required huge amount of money, he advocated relaxation exercises, and living in good environment devoid of disturbances so that individuals can be more productive.

Other members of Rotary club in attendance included, Rotn Surveyor Adigun,  Rotn Omolola Fadumiye, Rotn Margaret Jayeola, amongst others.