WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY: FNPH SOKOTO EMBARKS ON ROAD WALK FOR SENSITISATION 16-10-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital FNPH Kware in Sokoto state, has embarked on road Walk aimed at sensitizing Nigerians on mental health, substance abuse and related cases.
The Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Shehu Sale, said the activities was in commemoration of the 2023 World Mental Health Day with the theme ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’.
He said the day was set aside for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma as well as influence policy makers on proactive engagements.
According to him, the Hospital is looking beyond celebrating the day to look closely at the individuals with the eye of empathy.
‘He explained that If ones suffer from a disease, there is no reason to be stigmatized or to be criminalized, mental health is an integral part of health system which is a complete state of physical, social and mental well-being.
He advocated that government at all levels to Accord priority on access, affordability and quality of mental health in the nation’s strategic blueprint for the health sector.
According to him, the hospital also provided Integrated health services, providing treatment on forms of illnesses with standard laboratory services and other tests besides mental health services as effort to reduce stigma associated with such facilities.
In his address, the FNPH’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr Adebisi Adebayo, said mental health is universal human right and needed to be integrated into health services at all levels.
He said mental health disorders had increased and affected 15 per cent of working age adults globally, saying that at least one out of four persons had mental health challenges.
He added that mental health is beyond the traditional approach as substance abuse especially among the youth has become a scourge that should be given the needed attention. Africa 247 reports that the activity featured match pass, streets walk, dance, interactives and distribution of pamphlets by participants that comprised medical Doctors, Nurses, students and community groups.