Psychological well being is likely one of the most uncared for areas of public well being, with shut to 1 billion folks residing with a psychological dysfunction and one individual dies each 40 seconds by suicide, worldwide.
Talking on what Nigerians have to learn about psychological well being, a psychological well being doctor & advocate, Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, informed LEADERSHIP that about 60 million Nigerians are estimated to be residing with psychological sicknesses at present.
She mentioned the inhabitants want psychological well being companies, however it’s not available for numerous causes.
Kadiri, who can also be the MD/CEO, Pinnacle Medical Providers, mentioned with the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been an growing price of psychological sicknesses, including that anxiousness, melancholy and substance abuse are the highest three which might be prevalent, even amongst Nigerians, making the speed of melancholy growing by the day.
She mentioned, „Advocacy would assist to vary the narrative with regards to psychological sickness in Nigeria. It can be crucial that we normalise what folks learn about psychological well being. We have to allow them to know that psychological well being is as essential as another well being associated points. The truth that individuals are residing with psychological sicknesses doesn’t imply that it’s a dying sentence and that psychological sicknesses are beatable, treatable and, after all manageable.
“So, discrimination and stigmatisation of individuals with psychological sicknesses, together with their households have to finish. Allow us to normalise psychological well being. Simply the way in which we’ve fever, malaria, and another non communicable ailments like hypertension, diabetes, most cancers, we have to perceive that psychological sicknesses aren’t completely different.
Altering the narrative is essential. Whereas advocacy is essential in altering the narrative, the media, caregivers and the federal government play a really pivotal position. Authorities should not solely formulate insurance policies, the insurance policies should be applied and executed. There may be the necessity to put in place correct healthcare system, the place companies can be found, accessible, and naturally, reasonably priced to everybody.
“It’s paramount that psychological well being is being taught within the instructional sector, the place the curriculum may be revamped to make that occur. As for the office, employers should be certain that psychological well being actions are being carried out within the office. All these are the issues that we have to perform, in an effort to cut back the stigma, and if attainable, eradicate discrimination and stigma connected to folks with psychological sicknesses, together with their households.”
