Many Nigerians not mentally stable – Psychologist

Chairman of the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA) in Benue State, Dr Iorlumun Shimakaa, has expressed concern that many Nigerians are not mentally stable. 

Shimakaa made the remark at a two-day capacity building training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support organised by the NPA in collaboration the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Service.

At the training in Makurdi, Benue capital, he said the situation is occasioned by the current challenges bedeviling the country.

The state NPA chairman said the development had become a source of worry for experts in the sector as he emphasised that without sound mental health no one would be able to realise his or her full potentials in any given field.

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“We all agree that everybody in Benue state particularly and in Nigeria cannot boast of having a stable mental health because of the present challenges that have affected our mental health generally.”

“And we also agree that there cannot be good health without mental health. For that reason it has become imperative that we come together as partners to deepen our knowledge and improve the services we are delivering at our various platforms of intervention.

“So with this capacity building, we will not just come up with increased level of knowledge but we will also set up our level of intervention in the various places where we have been intervening. But most importantly for us in Benue state, the Nigeria Psychological Association has risen up to its responsibilities to take the lead as the lead advocator for mental health and for mental health issues in the state. For us we have assumed this role and responsibility with all seriousness,” he said.

Shimakaa further posited that at the end of the strategic capacity building training, a foundation for all of participants to have a harmonised intervention in mental health would be in place for a refined pathway for mental health activities.

On his part, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, represented by the Mental Health Desk Officer in the Ministry, James Ngutswen, said the state had accorded attention to the issues of mental health and wellbeing of the people with the establishment of treatment services in all the 276 council wards of the state.