As the world celebrates the 2020 World Mental Health Day, clinical psychologists have implored Nigerians to form the habit of contacting experts for checks on their mental health.
They gave the advice Wednesday in Abuja during a media hangout organised by Olive Prime Psychological Services, in collaboration with Zenith Bank and the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PRCIJ).
Addressing participants at the event, the medical director and consultant psychiatrist, Olive Prime, Dr Motunrayo Oyelohunnu, said that many factors can affect our mental health, but that it can be treated with interaction with experts.
She said: “There are many causes of mental ill health. The causes can be verified if there is a visit and interaction with a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist. It is not enough to wish your feelings away and assume that all is well. Everything around us is tied to mental health: be it potable water, floods, governance, poverty, environment, climate change, job and what have you.
“No matter the issue, mental illnesses can be treated. There is need to invest in mental health as government, individuals and organisations. We need to access mental care anytime, anywhere and at affordable rates. There should also be access to information on mental health, which journalists can help us with. People can be enlightened about mental health in local languages. Let’s become advocates of mental health.
“We should also check on our neighbours and ask questions when they are not behaving as they used to. In the midst of many people, some individuals feel lonely, abandoned, unloved and rejected. This tends to cause many people to commit suicide. However, if we reach out and check on many people, we will be saving lives. Also, government can do more for the betterment of mental health experts and workers in general; in order to curb brain drain as we have less than 300 psychologists in the whole country.”
Also speaking, lead clinical psychologist of Olive Prime and founder of Minds Haven, Mr Ayodele Ajeigbe, said that journalists should also learn to relax and take time off from pursue certain stories in order to avoid mental breakdown.
He said: “Journalists are exposed to life threatening situations. In fact, the whole profession is a pressure cooker. On a daily basis, journalists report on tragic topics, undertake dangerous tasks, cover killings and protests. Also, they always worry about job insecurity, sack, finance, meeting deadlines, task from editors and other issues. The aforementioned issues take mental toll on them.
“To relax, many journalists embrace alcohol or take drugs. Nevertheless, as a journalist, you should avoid quick fixes. Identify what is under your control and what is not. Drugs and alcohol add more stress to you in the long run. Presently, PTCIJ is partnering with Olive Prime for journalists to access mental health care at little or no cost at all, so we are here for you at all times.”
