The Support Nest Initiative (SNI), a non-governmental organisation, has trained 24 wives of officers and soldiers in Lungi Barracks, Abuja, on mental health and psychological support.
The training is aimed at enabling them become first respondents and lay counsellors in their communities.
Speaking after a five-day programme yesterday in Abuja, SNI Director Bukola Ugbuji said: “While the military has psychologists and psychiatrists to look after the men, it seems their families are neglected. “At the end of the day, there are not enough military psychologists to go round. These women, although they’re not psychologists, can give support and also refer chronic cases to the military psychologists.”
Facilitator and special programmes coordinator for ILERA Community Health Initiative, Nigeria, Yomi Oloko, said: “Lay counsellors are important, particularly now that we have a lot of issues around depression and anxiety, especially with the COVID-19.”