Medical practitioners have called on Nigerians to end the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions, urging citizens to show empathy, compassion, and support for people experiencing mental health challenges.
Orange FM’s Abraham Isaac reports that the practitioners emphasised the need to build an inclusive society where people living with mental health conditions are understood, listened to, and given access to appropriate care.
A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Olusegun Shoyombo, said mental health conditions were more common than many people realised, noting that individuals experiencing such challenges did not necessarily have to exhibit extreme or unusual behaviour in public.
He explained that mental health challenges could affect anyone and might arise from various factors, including family problems, workplace pressures, and financial difficulties.
Dr Shoyombo added that mental health conditions covered a wide range of disorders, including mood, anxiety, trauma-related, psychotic, eating, and personality disorders.
He urged Nigerians to prioritise their mental well-being by recognising their mental health needs and seeking professional assistance when necessary.
Similarly, a psychologist, Folajaye Kareem, called for an end to discrimination against people living with mental health conditions, stressing the need for a society that offers understanding and support rather than stigmatisation.
Kareem also urged governments at all levels, employers, educational institutions, and other organisations to identify individuals experiencing mental health challenges and provide appropriate support and care.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in seven people globally lives with a mental disorder, underscoring the need for increased awareness and access to mental health services.
World Mental Health Day is observed annually to raise awareness about mental health, educate the public, and promote efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.
This year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” highlights the importance of listening to people with lived experience of mental health conditions and ensuring their voices contribute to meaningful change.
