The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) also known as pirates confraternity has advocated for increased awareness creation to tackle increasing cases of mental health challenges in Nigeria.
The Association, during a sensitisation walk in Abuja to mark the 2023 World Mental Health Day, noted that Nigerians, including government, do not pay adequate attention to mental health.
Speaking during the walk organised by the NAS in college with Centre for Transparency Advocacy, which held in Gwarimpa, Abuja, a medical practitioner, Dr Iyke Osinachi said mental health is real, adding that the earlier we pay attention to it, the more we help the society.
He said, “because of how busy we are, trying to make ends meet, we pay less attention to the issue of mental health. And even people who suffer from these problems, men, and women continue to see them as people who are pretending. So we want to let society know that mental health is real. And the earlier we pay attention to it, the more we help the society.
Dr. Osinachi acknowledged that cases of mental health is on the rise, saying this could be connected to increasing cases of substance abuse by young persons
He also said the economic hardship in the country could also be a factor for the increase in number of persons suffering from mental health challenges
He said, “people are abusing all manners of substances in Nigeria. So that has added to the natural increasing risk of mental health that may be connected to the distress in the society itself.
“You can agree with me that it has become increasingly difficult, especially in Nigeria, for people to meet their needs. The stress of trying to meet our needs has worsened our depression. So, many people on their own are depressed, but nobody pays attention. Because every person is busy looking out for what is going to make him or her succeed. Those who suffer from mental health in Nigeria, people just sit down and wait until when they remove their trousers or their skirts or the wrappers and their pants or walk the streets before you can say ‘oh, this person has a mental health challenges.’ Unfortunately, people cannot differentiate between psychiatric issues and soft mental health conditions that can be manageable. That’s the issue.
He said the government has got a lot to do to try to address the issue.
According to him, “In Nigeria, there are so few mental health physicians. And there are very few mental health facilities as well in Nigeria. So I think on the part of the government there has to be a strong political will to bring up programmes and projects that will facilitate the interests of people in this area of practice, and also make facilities available as well so that those who are diagnosed with these conditions would be able to access them.”
Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel a legal practitioner, called for strengthening of existing laws to promote mental health as a human right.
He also said the Association is using the walk to sensitise the citizens to know that mental health is their human right.
He said, “In Nigeria, a lot of things that are expected to be provided for the citizens are ignored, just because people might not know it’s their right. So by drawing attention and raising that awareness, I think we are strengthening the awareness level of the people to know that it is their rights. If you know it is your right, you will demand it. If you don’t know, you won’t even demand it. So we are calling on the government to provide the necessary infrastructure to provide care for people with mental health issues.
