Dr. Ehanire Charges More Awareness On Mental Health Among Military Officers – Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health has charged the military to increase awareness on mental health among its personnel toward addressing impact of post-trauma and stress disorder among troops. THE GUARDIAN reports.
The minister was represented by the National Coordinator, the National Mental Health Programme of the ministry, Dr Tunde Ojo. Information Guide Nigeria
See Other Top News:
- Police Re-Arrests Jos Prison Escapee, Other Suspects
- UAE Increases Visa Rules For Nigerians
- 2023 Election: Oyo APC Expresses Fear Over Re-election Of Governor Makinde
- Police Warned Against Marking Of Cultism Day
He said that the effort should include programmes that would address stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, saying it was one of the greatest barriers to accessing care. jamb results
The minister also stressed the need to create conducive working environment including one that promotes mental wellbeing and proactively addresses the mental health needs of officers and men when identified.
“Unfortunately, there is the high tendency to give priority to the physical health needs ahead of mental health which should be looked into.
“I am aware there is dearth of mental health professionals in the country, and more so in the military as there are less than five psychiatrists in the entire military formation in the country.
“May be the statistics is much better for others like clinical psychologists, mental health nurse and medical social workers.
“I want to encourage you to invest more in this area trough recruitment and in service training.’’
According to him, there should be a multidisciplinary team to reflect the holistic approach to mental health and not just the biomedical approach.
“The federal ministry of health is available to give you technical support in achieving any of these,” he said.
Ehanire said that the ministry was leading the initiative for the improvement of mental health care services in Nigeria by developing a National Mental Health Bill 2020, for an Act to repeal the Lunacy Act of 1958.
This, he said was passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly in 2021, and awaiting assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that proactive measure had been put in place with the establishment of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in March, pending conclusion of the legislative processes on the bill.
Ehanire said the government had also engaged a consultant psychiatrist to coordinate the national response to the rising burden of mental health, neurological and substance use disorders in the country.
According to him, the national mental policy is in the process of being reviewed to reflect current realities and global best practices.
