The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, has urged Nigerians to destigmatize mental health and show empathy towards individuals battling mental illnesses.
World Mental Health Day, an international day dedicated to global mental health education, awareness, and the fight against societal stigma, was established on October 10, 1992, by the World Federation for Mental Health.
During the commemoration of the 2023 World Mental Health Day in Abuja, with the theme 'Mental Health is a Universal Human Right,' he stressed that there is no justification for the criminalization of mental health in today's society.
He argued for a more progressive approach, stating, "Just as we do not criminalize malaria, we should not criminalize mental health issues."
Dr Ali Pate also called for a broader perspective, encouraging individuals to empathize with those around them. He emphasized that people suffering from mental illnesses should not face stigmatization or criminalization.
Mental health is an integral aspect of overall health, encompassing physical, social, and mental well-being and they constitute a significant part of the global disease burden and contribute to morbidity and some mortality in Nigeria.
The Federal Government is shifting from a narrow biomedical approach to a public health perspective concerning mental health issues. He emphasized that a multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder approach is required to address mental health as a public health concern.
Operationalizing the Mental Health Act, which became law in January, will necessitate the development of guidelines. Resources are needed to support these efforts, with a call for states to prioritize mental health and allocate resources. The private sector is also urged to play a role in supporting the mental health of the workforce.
He further revealed that mental health issues are now integrated into the Primary Health Care system, and frontline health workers will receive training to identify early signs, respond effectively, and refer for care.
