Medical expert praises presidential focus on mental health law
President Muhammadu Buhari's presidential focus on the Mental Health Act on Friday continued to elicit positive reactions from Nigerians.
In Osun, a doctor, Dr. Olakunle Omoteemi, in a conversation with DAILY POST, noted that the law is long overdue as it would empower those involved in this field to work without hindrance.
He also said it would enlighten Nigerians on the dangers associated with lifestyles that can lead to degradation of mental health.
In his words, “Due to the negative perception attached to mental health issues in Nigeria, society still views any case related to it as one of insanity.
"Because of this negative perception, individuals are reluctant to come forward, discuss or approach professionals to discuss or disclose their mental health status.
“People often can't go to counseling either because of the prejudices of society. There is also the issue of the stigma attached to it as people are afraid of being called certain names.
"With this law, we hope that prejudice and stigma associated with mental health problems will disappear."
The doctor called on states, especially Osun, to domesticate the bill to help many people suffering from mental health issues.
He also called on individuals to check and report their mental health as this will go a long way in building relationships.
"Many of the so-called crazies we encounter on a daily basis are not victims of spiritual attacks so to speak. They are in this position because of their way of life.
"Some are there because they have abused substances in the past. Some are there because of relationship issues, etc. Ignorance on the part of people is what we see daily on the streets.
"Instead of seeking counseling and treatment, so many prayer houses and different types of treatment, including flogging, are inflicted on these victims. Some are then released back into society with the belief that this will cure them quickly.
“With this law, these victims of mental health problems would be confined in mental institutions and families with such mental health problems would be obliged to release their people with mental health problems for appropriate treatment and counseling. ."
Hauwa Ojeifo, a human rights, gender and disability activist, has revealed that the last semblance of mental health legislation in Nigeria was the Lunacy Act of 1958, which is why activists like her advocated for human rights, respecting mental health laws and practices that protect the dignity and freedom of people with psychosocial disabilities.
Meanwhile, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, a Senator representing Kwara Central in the Senate and the originator of the Mental Health Bill on his Twitter account, said the Bill aims to establish and regulate mental health and addictions services, to protect people with mental health needs.
He also revealed that the bill was necessitated by the continuing quest to make provision for the improvement and regulation of mental health and addictions services.
In his own words, “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, @MBuhari, has signed into law a bill for the establishment and regulation of mental health and addiction services, protecting people with mental health needs and creating of the National Commission for Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders Services, for Effective Management of Mental Health in Nigeria, and other related matters.
“The bill I sponsored was necessitated by the persistent quest to provide for the improvement and regulation of mental health and addictions services and to set aside the challenges that perpetuate the social stigma of victims mental illness.< /p>
“I explained that the proposal was to protect people with mental health needs and to establish a National Agency for Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders Services for effective health management Mental Health in Nigeria and other related matters, I further raised the lack of Mental Health Act in Nigeria other than the Regional Insanity Act of 1918, which in its context and content violated basic human rights people with mental and psychosocial disorders."
President Muhammadu Buhari's presidential focus on the Mental Health Act on Friday continued to elicit positive reactions from Nigerians.
In Osun, a doctor, Dr. Olakunle Omoteemi, in a conversation with DAILY POST, noted that the law is long overdue as it would empower those involved in this field to work without hindrance.
He also said it would enlighten Nigerians on the dangers associated with lifestyles that can lead to degradation of mental health.
In his words, “Due to the negative perception attached to mental health issues in Nigeria, society still views any case related to it as one of insanity.
"Because of this negative perception, individuals are reluctant to come forward, discuss or approach professionals to discuss or disclose their mental health status.
“People often can't go to counseling either because of the prejudices of society. There is also the issue of the stigma attached to it as people are afraid of being called certain names.
"With this law, we hope that prejudice and stigma associated with mental health problems will disappear."
The doctor called on states, especially Osun, to domesticate the bill to help many people suffering from mental health issues.
He also called on individuals to check and report their mental health as this will go a long way in building relationships.
"Many of the so-called crazies we encounter on a daily basis are not victims of spiritual attacks so to speak. They are in this position because of their way of life.
"Some are there because they have abused substances in the past. Some are there because of relationship issues, etc. Ignorance on the part of people is what we see daily on the streets.
"Instead of seeking counseling and treatment, so many prayer houses and different types of treatment, including flogging, are inflicted on these victims. Some are then released back into society with the belief that this will cure them quickly.
“With this law, these victims of mental health problems would be confined in mental institutions and families with such mental health problems would be obliged to release their people with mental health problems for appropriate treatment and counseling. ."
Hauwa Ojeifo, a human rights, gender and disability activist, has revealed that the last semblance of mental health legislation in Nigeria was the Lunacy Act of 1958, which is why activists like her advocated for human rights, respecting mental health laws and practices that protect the dignity and freedom of people with psychosocial disabilities.
Meanwhile, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, a Senator representing Kwara Central in the Senate and the originator of the Mental Health Bill on his Twitter account, said the Bill aims to establish and regulate mental health and addictions services, to protect people with mental health needs.
He also revealed that the bill was necessitated by the continuing quest to make provision for the improvement and regulation of mental health and addictions services.
In his own words, “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, @MBuhari, has signed into law a bill for the establishment and regulation of mental health and addiction services, protecting people with mental health needs and creating of the National Commission for Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders Services, for Effective Management of Mental Health in Nigeria, and other related matters.
“The bill I sponsored was necessitated by the persistent quest to provide for the improvement and regulation of mental health and addictions services and to set aside the challenges that perpetuate the social stigma of victims mental illness.< /p>
“I explained that the proposal was to protect people with mental health needs and to establish a National Agency for Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders Services for effective health management Mental Health in Nigeria and other related matters, I further raised the lack of Mental Health Act in Nigeria other than the Regional Insanity Act of 1918, which in its context and content violated basic human rights people with mental and psychosocial disorders."
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