The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has urged Nigerians to destigmatize mental health issues and promote empathy for individuals battling such conditions. This appeal was made during the commemoration of the 2023 World Mental Health Day, held in Abuja on October 10, under the theme ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.’
World Mental Health Day, established by the World Federation for Mental Health on October 10, 1992, is an international event dedicated to promoting global mental health education, raising awareness, and fighting against the social stigma associated with mental health disorders.
Minister Pate emphasized the importance of not criminalizing mental health, drawing a parallel with other health conditions such as malaria. He implored society to focus on fostering empathy for those facing mental health challenges and to abandon stigmatization.
“Mental health is an integral component of overall health, encompassing physical, social, and mental well-being,” Pate stated. He pointed out the hidden global epidemic of mental illnesses and the significant impact it has on public health, accounting for 15 percent of the disease burden in Nigeria.
The Minister outlined the Federal Government’s commitment to transform the approach to mental health from a narrow biomedical perspective to one that treats it as a public health concern, calling for a multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder approach. He also stressed the need for the implementation of the Mental Health Act, which was passed into law in January, and the development of associated guidelines.
Furthermore, Pate emphasized the importance of access, affordability, and quality of mental health care and encouraged the private sector to play a pivotal role in supporting the mental health of its workforce.
Incorporating mental health issues into the Primary Health Care system was another key point, with frontline health workers set to receive training to identify early signs, provide assistance, and facilitate referrals for individuals in need of mental health care.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State, added that addressing substance abuse among youth is vital, as it significantly impacts society. He also called upon families and religious leaders to help combat the scourge.
The National Human Rights Commission expressed its commitment to implementing the National Mental Health Act (2023) to protect mental health rights in Nigeria. The commission called for humane treatment of individuals with mental health conditions, emphasizing that mental health is a human right. It also urged the government to scale up measures to address economic and social factors affecting mental well-being and to ensure accessible, affordable, and quality mental health care for all citizens.
In conclusion, the 2023 World Mental Health Day in Nigeria highlighted the urgent need for a more compassionate approach to mental health issues and called for coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, and society as a whole to support individuals in their struggle for mental well-being.