Bakare Urges Nigerians To Stop Stigmatization Of Mental Health Patients
By Simeon OSAJIE
As the world commemorates World Mental Health Day, Starburg Empowerment Foundation today urged Nigerians to stop the stigmatization of those suffering from mental health problem.
The Co-founder of the foundation, Comrade Bakare Gloria gave the advice in a chat with newsmen after a road walk that took them round major streets in Benin metropolis to sensitize the public on World Mental Health Day 2024, with the theme “Prioritizing Mental Health In Work Place.”
Comrade Bakare who urged those with mental health problems to come out of their shell as there is still hope adding that they do not need to give up on themselves or take things that will further compound the problems they are going through.
She assured that the organization is out to tell the people that with one accord they can rebuild the broken bridges.
She however noted that a lot of things can lead to mental health problems, which includes, raped victims, family problems, drug used or addiction, drunkenness and unnecessary violence amongst others, adding that should not loss hope as there is still time for them to make up and be useful to themselves in the society.
She pointed out that it is not all about working and working especially for the civil servants, market/entrepreneur and others but to make out time to relax so as to reduce the stress that will affect their mental health and also get engaged in activities that will help in the reduction of mental stress.
The Co-founder of the foundation then called parents to ensure they monitor their children and wards for them to know the people they mingle with as well as what they are facing out there in the society which could be as a result of school work, peer group, societal problem and others which could lead to mental health so as to nip it from the bud before it turns to something grievous.
She added that 70 percent of the people are not aware of the issues of mental health which on its own is a serious problem plaguing the society and admonished that all hands must be on deck to reduce the scourge and to astain from activities that will trigger mental health.
High point of the sanitization programme was the donation of some drugs and cash to Federal Nearo Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City to commemorate the day.
