By Hassan Zaggi
In order to ensure the effective performance of their duty to the Nigerian people, the Federal Government has been advised to include mental health in the ongoing police reforms.
The Coordinator, Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr. Aminu Magashi, gave the advice at a follow-up training for focal police officers from 10 Divisions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
The first phase of the training was held few months ago in partnership with Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN).
He also advocated for the provision of special counsellors who are stationed in strategic locations to always engage and discuss with officers who have worked in the field for a long time.
This, according to him, is to give them psycho social support to enable them recover quickly from shocks and unpleasant experiences that may affect their mental health.
The AHBN Coordinator reiterated that by the nature of their work, police officers are bound to experience post stress traumatic disorder, hence, the need to provide a dedicated place where they can access counselling services.
On the focus of the training, Dr. Magashi said: “The conversation is around mental health- the symptoms, signs, common diseases. The knowledge is both sides, it will help you to understand the condition of your suspects/clients and it will also help you to understand the state of your colleague.
“This is because the nature of the work can trigger some mental health issues and if you have the knowledge you can pick the signs and support your colleague to deliver quality services to Nigerians.”
He expressed his determination to continue to support the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force at all levels to enable them perform optimally.
“We have a full commitment to continue to support the police on mental health and so many other things that we are going to gradually unveil.
“For example, the issue of Hotline number within the FCT Police Command on mental health. We can engage the telecommunication companies to understand what is involved for us to have a hotline for people to call in free of charge when they have any form of mental health challenge.
“We will also be engaging the police in community policing whereby we support them within the community to perform their duty better.”
Dr. Magashi disclosed that 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder, stressing that: “ Mental disorders involve significant disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, or behavior”
He, however, lamented that even though effective prevention and treatment options for mental health disorders exist, “most people do not have access to effective care”
