Banigo Identifies Drug Addiction, Poor Governance As Catalysts For Mental Health Disorder

The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has identified poor awareness, drug addiction, harmful spiritual/traditional belief system, ignorance and lack of access to qualified and mental healthcare facility in most States of the federation as factors escalating mental health disorder in the country.
Banigo, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, stated this yesterday in a statement to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day Celebration held yesterday.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senator, Precious Abia.
Banigo , a Harvard trained Medical Personnel and former deputy governor of Rivers State, noted that the National Mental Health Act, 2021 seeks to promote and protect the lives of people suffering from mental health illness, while also addressing the flaws of Lunacy Ordinance enacted in 1916 which preceded the Lunacy Act of 1958.
According to the national lawmaker, the World Health Organisation (WHO) refers to community based mental healthcare provided outside of a psychiatric hospital, which include services available through primary health care, District or Regional General Hospital as well as relevant social services which underscores the need for collaborative effort amongst stakeholders.
Senator Banigo further explained that the increased cases of mental health challenges could be traced to child abuse, traumatic experience, neglect, social stigmatization or racial discrimination and economic pressures.
She advised people with such experiences to always engage the service of mental health professionals, periodic medical checkup at mental treatment health centres nearest to them.
The Senator called on relevant government agencies to ensure effective implementation and reorientation of the public on Mental Health Act 2021.
The Tide reports that the World Mental Health Day is set aside every 10th of October to illuminate necessary knowledge, sensitize the people and taking actions that guarantee standards of mental health.
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is “ Mental Health is a Universal Human Rights”.