Nation
Association Advocates Mental Health Services Integration At PHCs
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has called for the integration of mental health services into all levels of health care, particularly at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level.
President, APN, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, made the appeal in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the association, Dr Abayomi Olajide, on Monday.
“This year’s celebration should be trumped with emphasis on integrating mental health into all levels of care, more importantly at the Primary Healthcare level.
“Also, advocacy for passage of Mental Health Bill should get to a Crescendo.
“During this year’s celebration, let us seize this opportunity to talk to stakeholders in the health sector and beyond to support our clarion call for Mental Health Bill passage,’’ he said.
According to him, the World Mental Health Day is celebrated every October 10, with 2022 theme: “Make Mental Health For All a Global Priority”.
“Following myriads of mental health challenges and given that less than 10 per cent of mentally challenged individuals have access to mental health services, it is imperative to advocate for good access to varying forms of mental health services,’’ he said.
Noting that more than 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses, Obindo said the gap was as a result of various factors like the knowledge gap in which people do not have appropriate information about the causes and treatment for mental illnesses.
He said some factors hindering the management of mental illness in Nigeria included myths and traditional beliefs; inadequate mental health facilities and number of mental health professionals.
According to him, the few available mental health facilities are located in the city centres.
He also advocated for the speedy passage of the mental health bill to protect persons with mental health challenges and substance abuse problems.
The Tide source reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a suicide prevention campaign in Africa, a region it says has the highest rate of suicide deaths in the world.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
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