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Expert recommends mental health awareness as antidote to suicides

Expert recommends mental health awareness as antidote to suicides

By Justina Auta
Suicides
Abuja, Oct. 15, 2019 (NAN) Dr Chigozie Igwe, a medical expert with the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Secretariat, has recommended more awareness on mental health as antidote to curbing incessant cases of suicides in Nigeria.
Igwe spoke at the “Effective Suicide Prevention Response Strategy for Young People in Nigeria’’ programme in Abuja on Tuesday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that over 800,000 people die by suicide annually in the World, with Nigeria ranking among the top 10 countries in Africa.
The 2016 Global Health Observatory Data Repository also estimated that 9.5 suicides per 100,000 occurred in Nigeria.
Igwe made this known while presenting a paper on “Building Young People’s Mental Health Skills”, during the third edition of the dialogue on “Power of Your Mind Project (POYMP)’’.
He decried the effects of mental health challenges, which he attributed to have contributed immensely to suicides and other mental health hazards among youths.
“Mental health affects people of different age, background and gender in different ways and shapes daily.
“The mental health status of a person is critical to living as it is a major determinant of choices, how one relates with others and outlook on life.
“It also determines how people handle stress, depression and challenges in life,” said the expert.
He enlightened participants on mental health, depression and how to recognise and deal with it to avoid suicide ideas and other negative choices.
“Depression is a common and serious mental health challenge that affects the way one thinks, feels and acts.
“The more young people are aware of their mental health issues, the more they will be able to utilise mental health skills and to prevent suicide as well as handle depression.”
He therefore stressed the need for the public, particularly parents and schools to monitor and recognise when someone may be struggling with mental health issues by listening more, empathising and seeking help, where needs be. (NAN)
JAD/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Association decries neglect of mental health

Association decries neglect of mental health

By Ummul Idris
Doctors
Abuja, Oct.10, 2019 (NAN) The Association of Resident Doctors have decried the neglect of mental health in the country, saying such neglect is dangerous to the health sector.

Dr Roland Aigbovo, the President of the association, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of the World Mental Health Day celebration.

He noted that mental health was one aspect of medicine that had suffered neglect in Nigeria due to stigma.

He stated that to some extent the unavailability of drugs for patients of mental health also contributed to the menace in the country.

According to him, nobody wants to be tagged as being crazy but a whole lot of Nigerians are suffering from one mental illness or the other.

“With the recent surge in suicide in Nigeria, the medical community especially in our country should deem it very necessary to begin to enlighten the public on mental health and its related issues,” said ARD president.

He said that the association was collaborating with government to curtail the menace by taking cognisance of the increasing mental health issues and availing every opportunity to educate patients on mental health.

He said that the association dedicated its 2019 annual health week to enlighten the public on mental health thereby increasing awareness.

The medical practitioner said that the theme of its 2019 health week was “the neglect of mental health: a threat to our society”.

According to him, mental health involves psychological, emotional and social wellbeing, it entails how we act and respond to stress and pressures.

He stated that the menace of mental health could be reduced with increased awareness as well as seeking appropriate treatment when detected.

Aigbovo however advised Nigerians against some risky behaviour which posed high risk to mental disorders like drug abuse and misuse to reduced it. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Suicide Prevention Day: Expert wants FG to provide effective mental services

World Suicide Prevention Day: Expert wants FG to provide effective mental services
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Suicide
Abuja, Sept. 10, 2019 (NAN) Dr Uchendu Ugochukwu, Department of Mental Health, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, has called on the Federal Government to provide effective mental health services to prevent suicide.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, Ugochukwu said urged government not to stop at providing healthcare at the tertiary level but ensure that the basics are provided at all primary healthcare centres.
He said that provision of social security and employment would also go a long way to help in preventing suicide.
NAN reports that the World Suicide Prevention Day is marked annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to create awareness on mental health.
The 2019 World Suicide Prevention Day theme is: “Working Together to Prevent Suicide’’
According to him, the WHO report says that about 800,000 people die due to suicide every year which is equivalent to one person dying every 40 seconds on account of suicide.
“In addition to this, there are indications that for each adult who died by suicide, there may have been 20 to 25 others attempting suicide.
“Suicide is a global phenomenon and occurs throughout the lifespan and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year old globally.
“Suicide rates largely vary from country to country but the rates are higher in middle and low income countries,” Ugochukwu said.
He said a study conducted in South Western Nigeria among 10 to 17 year-olds found that over 20 per cent reported suicidal ideation and approximately 12 per cent reported that they had attempted suicide in the past one year.
Ugochukwu said that the data was no doubt worrisome but probably not as startling as the realisation that these at best are an underestimation of the rates of suicide and suicidality worldwide.
The expert said the situation was worst in Africa, adding that suicide is generally under-reported.
“The low data availability for suicide and suicidal behaviour is largely due to factors such as social stigma and the taboo to openly discuss suicide in many African cultures and religion.
“As well as the belief that discussing it openly increases its likelihood and the illegality of suicidal behaviour in some countries.
“Suicide is therefore often a secretive act surrounded by taboo, and may be unrecognised, misclassified or deliberately hidden in official records of death.
“Most people who take their lives would have been severely depressed for a while and have actively contemplated and planned the execution of the act,” Ugochukwu said.
He said that suicide and depression was usually caused by interplay of many factors crucial in developing the right approach to stemming the tide of depression and resultant suicidal behaviour.
Ugochukwu said that mental health difficulties, including ones which contribute to suicidal ideation and attempts, are the result of a multitude of factors – biological, psychological, social and cultural.
“The challenges presented by this heterogeneity can only be overcome by an approach to suicide prevention that brings together family, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials and governments.
“This is why the definitive approach to substantially reduce suicide rates has to involve everyone ‘working together’.
“Family and friends must be sensitive to each other’s needs and not take it for granted.
“Co-workers and bosses at the workplace should try to find out why that colleague or employee seems distracted at work and no longer performs as efficiently as he or she used to do prior to now,” he said.
Ugochukwu said healthcare professionals not just those in the mental health field must have a heightened index of suspicion by identifying patients at risk of suicide and manage appropriately.
He however advised Nigerians to resolve to be better listeners, and to care for neighbours, saying that they may just be all that makes the difference between life and death.
NAN reports that World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on Sept. 10 each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. (NAN)
OEO/DE/MST
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Untreated mental health problems affects children – Expert

Untreated mental health problems affect children – Expert
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Children
Abuja, Jan. 30, 2019 (NAN) The National Coordinator, Trauma Awareness Resilience (TAR) Initiative, Mr Francis Onyekwue, has said untreated mental health problems could disrupt children’s functioning at home, school and in the community.
Onyekwue made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
“Without treatment, children with mental health issues are at increased risk of school failure, contact with the criminal justice system, dependence on social services and even suicide.
“Parents and family members are usually the first to notice if a child has problems with emotions or behaviour.
“Your observations, along with those of teachers and other caregivers, can help determine whether you need to seek help for your child,’’ he said.
Onyekwue said children could develop the same mental health conditions as adults, but their symptoms may be different.
He said children could also experience a range of mental health conditions, which includes anxiety disorders, Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Onyekwue said others could be autism spectrum disorder (ASD), eating disorders, mood disorders and schizophrenia.
He said many adults do not believe that children do have mental illness, talk less of know the signs and symptoms of mental illness in children.
“Even if you know the red flags, it can be difficult to distinguish signs of a problem from normal childhood behaviour.
“You might reason that every child displays some of these signs at some point. And children often lack the vocabulary or developmental ability to explain their concerns.
“Concerns about the stigma associated with mental illness, the use of certain medications, and the cost or logistical challenges of treatment might also prevent parents from seeking care for a child who has a suspected mental illness,’’ Onyekwue said.
He said the common treatment options for children who have mental health conditions include psychotherapy, saying it can help a child learn how to respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.
Onyekwue said the mental health conditions could be addressed by given medication, adding the child could be given stimulants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers to treat his or her mental health condition.
He, however, advised Nigerians to consult social workers or mental health providers to determine what might work best for the child, including the risks or benefits of specific medications.
NAN reports that TAR Initiative is an NGO promoting mental health awareness creation and support, with strength on trauma healing.
TAR also provides counselling services and other forms of therapy to clients and referral as the case may be. (NAN)
OEO/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Physical, mental fitness business of military – GOC

Physical, mental fitness business of military – GOC
By Mohammad Tijjani
Fitness
Kaduna, June 30, 2018 (NAN) The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen Mohammed Mohammed, says physical mental fitness is the business of the military all the time.
Mohammed said this during the Second Route March Exercise of 10kms walk and jog organised by the Nigerian Air Force, Air Training Command (AOC), Kaduna.
The GOC, who was the Special Guest of Honor at the occasion, said “the business of the military is about been active all the time’’.
According to him, you cannot be active if you are not engaged in exercise of this nature.
“Once you are fit, it determines your performance in any field of exercise in operation.
“Physical strength, health wise in terms of Biomedics and others at the end of the day relives you,’’ he said.
The GOC said a better able body man is more deployable than who is not physically fit.
He said that fitness of officers and men of military was a pre-requisite for successful operations.
The commanding officer thanked the Air Officer, AOC Kaduna, AVM Muhammad Ademu, for honouring him, saying 1 Division will participate fully in the next exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prizes were given to those who excelled during the exercise.
NAN also reports that some sister agencies who participated in the exercise include Prison Service, Police, DSS and Civil Defence Corps.
The event is a routine activity of the NAF designed to encourage physical fitness of the NAF personnel. (NAN)
TJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NGO urges FG to integrate mental health care into PHC system

NGO urges FG to integrate mental health care into PHC system
NAN-HG-1
Health
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, June 13, 2017 (NAN) Mr Ameh Zion, President, Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government to integrate mental health care into the Primary Health Care (PHC) system.

Zion made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

He critisised the failure of the federal government to integrate mental health care into the primary health care system since it gave an assurance it would do so in 1978.

He said that government was not doing enough to spread awareness on mental health especially to rural communities around the country.

Zion noted that due to this laxity, there was currently a wide gap in the level of mental health awareness between Nigeria and other nations.

“In Nigeria there is a wide margin as far as awareness and knowledge of mental health is concerned.

“In trying to cover this gap there needs to be a cordial relationship between local government authorities, traditional rulers and the federal government.

“This is important because these are the people who are in touch with each and every member of their communities and this makes it easier to take the message to everyone.

“If you go through history, in 1978, the federal government pledged to integrate mental health care and psycho social support services into the PHC centres but as we speak that has not been done.

“This is a major problem and barrier; after creating awareness in local communities and then community members decide to go a facility for check-up they are turned back because the care is not available to give them in these centres.

“What government needs to do is to ensure they are the biggest platform that can drive the integration of mental health support system to primary health care facilities.

“After this is achieved, it can now extend the services to the secondary and tertiary health care level,” Zion said.

He said that only few hospitals under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) provided mental health services in the country, urging that the trend should not be allowed to continue.

Besides, he urged government to use its authority to move the Ministry of Health, parastatals and agencies under it to integrate mental health services in the country.

Zion also urged international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support local NGOs who are working assidiously to help move the campaign on mental health in the country.

He said that his organisation has continued to take the campaign to local communities within the FCT, adding that these communities are gradually becoming aware about the condition.

According to Zion, we have been able to let these people understand that they should also be conscious of their health which is not physical that is mental health. (NAN)
KRY/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola