The field Project coordinator walk 347 ” BanStopPrevent” advocacy Pilot field survey has said that mental health which is usually neglected should be given maximum attention inorder to ensure a good and healthy living.
He made this disclosure at Umuahia the state capital during an interractive session with newsmen.
The BanStopPrevent health advocacy project is a pilot study aimed at eliminating harmful mental health treatment practices such as chaining, flogging and confinement in Nigerian communities.
The Project began as a pilot research in three communities which includes Apumiri,Mgbarakuna, and nsukwe located in Ubakala town Umuahia south LGA abia state.These areas serve as a mix of rural semi rural and semi urban settings where traditional healing practices are prevalent and often as the primary form of health care.
According to Dr Christian “the quality of the results which was a success amazed even our partners,we were able to penetrate the fabrics of the societies where we visited and got to the grassroot which was the major aim of tne project also first hand information were gotten from the local especially the challenges plaguing them on mental health and there expectations,roles on how to combat the menace.
He revealed that substance abuse was The leading cause of mental health problems in the areas they visited with young people been the most affected to the extent that the traditional ruler pleaded with them that if they can identify the root cause of the problem they can equally come back to profer solutions to the rising cases of drug and substance abuse affecting the youths in the community.
On challenges encountered during the course of the exercise, Dr Christian noted that the people acted uninterested due to the biting economic hardship as they were only concerned on where their next meal would come from.
“People were asking what’s government intentions towards this project that often times government have come around,ask questions,mark their houses and they never heard anything from them again”
He also said that ineffective communication due to illiteracy and the difficult terrain of some of the villages visited almost demoralized his team but was glad that it never prevented them from accomplishing their task.
On the way forward Dr Christian stated that the second stage of this project which is the advocacy stage involves implementation of the results gotten from the research.
“The advocacy stage has to do with result which affects people’s choice on where to seek for healing concerning mental health involves enlightenment and education”he stated.
The member representing umuahia south state constituency and the chairman house committee on health, Hon Emeka Obioma while speaking lauded the team for their efforts due to the delicate nature of mental health
Hon Emeka stated that the house committee on health which includes the deputy speaker,the majority leader and the chief whip were fully aware of this project are ever willing to offer support through passing a motion to create awareness for mental health.
He also revealed that the Otti’s government is making effort to reconstruct and retrofit some health facilities in the state like Amachara General hospital inorder to make provision for mental or psychiatric department where mentally unfit persons can come and seek help
Hon Obioma equally condemned chaining of persons with mental disorders but rather advocated that mental health challenges which comes in varying degrees should be handled by well trained professionals.
While advising youths against the menace and destructive effects of drug abuse which is the leading cause of mental health breakdown, the house committee chairman on health promised that efforts are been made by the government to intensify creation of awareness in schools and communities.
He commended the team for their effort and commitment towards the project and equally thanked them for finding his constituency worthy as a recipient of this laudable project which will have meaningful impact on those communities visited.
