NAN-HG-8
Psychiatrist
By Vivian Ihechu
Lagos, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) A consultant neuro-psychiatrist, Dr Maymunnah Kadiri, on Monday urged Nigerians to adopt diverse positive measures to reduce stress and depression in the country.
Kadiri, the Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, Lagos, also called on the Federal Government to pay more attention to mental health.
The consultant neuro-psychiatrist spoke at a “Speakout Series on Stress and Depression’’ organised by the organisation in Lagos.
She said, “There is need for Nigeria to pay more attention to mental health through a signed bill, and that the mental health budget should be increased.
“What we have currently is less than one per cent of the nation’s budget.
“Again, measures for psychological first aid, as is being advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), should be in place.
“Adequate medication, as well as family, psychological, financial and environmental support should also be in place, because, these are pathways to recovery for every individual with mental challenge.”
According to her, suicide and other outcomes of mental ill health are on the increase in Nigeria.
“We are dealing with a lot of issues; businesses are falling, things are expensive, cash is hard to come by and basic amenities are lacking.
“This is taking a toll on the mental health of Nigerians; it makes people vulnerable to becoming suicidal, aggressive, violent, unruly, corrupt and other anti-social behaviours.
“The statistics may not be there, but by observations, people are bottling up their emotions and challenges, instead of speaking out.
“There is need for people to speak out; let us not be intimidated and bottle up our anxieties and frustrations.
“We have to get the `garbages’ inside of us out; it is the rock to breaking the barrier and reducing stigma; people are encouraged to seek help,’’ Kadiri said.
She said that there was need to identify individual stressors to deal with most of the day-to-day stressors of life.
Kadiri said people should also take up positive activities that could modulate or ease their stresses.
“These positive activities include exercise, sporting activities, acquiring additional skills, hobbies such as dancing, gardening, music, reading, story-telling and going on vacation,’’ she said.
The expert said the first line for depression was therapy and counselling, adding that it could be from family members, friends, religious leaders and medical experts.
She said an individual should not to wait till he or she was battered, violated, injured or close to committing suicide, before seeking for help. (NAN)
VIV/GOK
(Edited/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)