Expert seeks clue to mental health crises in Nigeria
Dosumu , who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) on Tuesday in Osogbo , said such routine checkups would help prevent any form of suicidal ideation or suicide .
He explained that the need for an effective suicidal prevention effort becomes paramount in order to reduce the rate of such cases in the country .
” Suicide prevention efforts include limiting victim access to firearms , illicit drugs and poisons . Also treating mental disorders , substance abuse and dialectics behaviour therapy .
” Although , crises holiness are common resources by their effectiveness have not been well studied ,” Dosumu said.
According to him , some risk factors such as depression, bipolar disorder , anxiety disorder , alcoholism and substance abuses can not be overemphasised.
” Psychological factors to include broken homes , failed transactions, economic hardship , dishonesty society and blame are some causes of mental health problems.”
The psychologist and drug addiction therapist further said there must be close monitoring of victims with mental health illnesses to avoid them committing any form of suicide .
He called on governments at all levels to provide social support in form of social insurances for the vulnerable in the society .
” We have government Ministry , Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) that can deliver by being passionate with citizens especially in the areas of mental health problems.
” I commended the Humanitarian Ministry for the little effort they have made so far since the inception of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu”.
Dosumu , however, charged stakeholders in the health sector to ensure that issues of mental health problems were given the required utmost attention for the safety of all citizens.
