BY SUNDAY EGEDE
THE Head, Department of African Academy for Mental Health of African Foundation for Mental Health Advocacy, Dr. Teslim Oladejo has called for multi-sectorial collaboration in order to achieve universal access to mental health services.
Dr. Oladejo, who is also a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, made the call in his advisory message ahead of the 2025 World Mental Health Day celebration which comes up tomorrow He said the government must integrate mental health into all emergency response frameworks, from disaster relief to health interventions and community rebuilding efforts, adding that every emergency shelter should have trained psychosocial support personnel.
According to him, healthcare workers should be trained in psychological first aid to provide immediate emotional care during crises, pointing out that schools, especially in conflict or disaster-affected areas, must have counselors who can help children process trauma.
Dr. Oladejo said religious leaders and traditional institutions that are often the first points of contact in communities should be empowered with knowledge to recognize and refer mental health cases rather than attribute them to spiritual causes. “Every year, the world comes together to recognize World Mental Health Day, a day that reminds us that our wellbeing is not only physical but also emotional, psychological, and social. The theme for this year is ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.’ “The theme, “Access to Services,” urges us to look beyond awareness to action. It is not enough to acknowledge mental health needs. We must ensure that help is available, affordable, and culturally acceptable,” the Senior Clinical Psychologist stated.
In recent years, he said, our nation and the world have witnessed an increasing number of crises from natural disasters, epidemics, conflicts, displacement, and economic hardships to personal losses and insecurity.
These events, according to him, test the strength of individuals, families, and communities, leaving not only visible scars but also, invisible wounds of trauma, anxiety, grief, and despair, adding that during such catastrophes, mental health often becomes the silent casualty.
