BY FRANCA OFILI
APART from being a basic human right, mental health has intrinsic and instrumental value.
It is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.
Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, but a broader state of well-being that includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
According to experts, mental health in emergencies is a critical aspect of humanitarian response, emphasising the need for timely and inclusive support.
During crises, mental health support is not just a luxury but a necessity for recovery and resilience.
The World Mental Health Day theme for 2025, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” underscores the importance of mental health services in times of crisis.
These services are essential for addressing the emotional, psychological, and social impacts of emergencies, ensur ing tha t indiv idua l s and communities can cope with stress, anxiety, and trauma.
Health analysts say the key facts for mental health are that almost all people affected by emergencies experience psychological distress, which typically improves over time.
They say that one in five people who have experienced war or conflict in the previous 10 years has depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
Others are emergencies which significantly disrupt mental health services and reduce the availability of quality care and people with severe mental health conditions are especially vulnerable during emergencies and need access to mental health care and other basic needs.
Also, factors influencing mental health include genetic factors, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and social support.
Experts say understanding these key facts can help in promoting mental well-being and addressing the needs of individuals and communities.
A Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, said for the country to address issue of mental health, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should include mental health disorder diagnoses and treatments in its benefit package.
Obindo, who is the President , Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), said that World Mental Health Day celebrated every Oct. 10, had the ”Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”.
According to him, NHIA should include other mental health disorders diagnoses and medications in their list; thereby, reducing out-of-pocket spending and deliberate efforts at reducing cost of drugs.
Obindo called for the integration of mental health care into the Primary Health Centres and the establishment of the department of mental health services in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in line with extant law.
“The government should increase funding for mental health by having a budget line for mental health. Doing that it will help address Nigeria’s significant mental health crisis, improve well-being, and reduce inequities in care,” he said.
He explained the link between economic pressure and mental health (depression), and by extension suicide.
Obindo said that many catastrophic event s we re happening in the country with flooding, displacement, kidnapping, communal clashes and herders-farmers crises. He said that the aforementioned, alongside the attendant economic downturns, unemployment, underemployment, poverty among others had pushed Nigerians to the brink.
Obindo said that those who never had Mental Health Conditions (MHC) were developing it and those who had, and were stablised, were relapsing.
He said that those who had developed it and were on their way to recovery were having recurrences of their symptoms.
Obindo advised individuals to know how to manage their stress, adding that families should look out for each other and act on subtle changes.
In his view, Dr Dévora Kestel, Director of the WHO Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health, said that mental health support was a critical component of emergency response, not an optional add-on.
According to him, in crisis settings, more than 67 million people are affected by mental health conditions, yet services remain underfunded and inaccessible for many.
Kestel called for urgent investment in mental health preparedness and integrated care, emphasising that protecting mental well-being was essential to saving lives and restoring dignity in emergencies.
Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, called for the urgent integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into emergency preparedness and response systems across Africa.
Janabi warned that mental health care must be treated as a lifeline not a luxury during crises. He emphasised that mental health must be recognised as a cornerstone of human resilience, dignity, and survival, especially as Africa grapples with an increasing number of humanitarian and public health emergencies.
“Emergencies whether outbreaks, conflicts, or natural disasters can devastate lives and communities, while most people experience psychological stress, one in five will face a mental health condition requiring professional care.’’
He said that in spite of more than 100 major emergencies occurring annually across the continent from Ebola outbreaks to floods and armed conflicts, the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into national preparedness and response plans remained inadequate.
Recalling the May 2024 World Health Assembly resolution, which called for MHPSS to be embedded into emergency and recovery efforts, Janabi said the Regional Framework for Mental Health offered African nations a roadmap to strengthen resilience through disaster risk reduction and primary health care.
He called for stronger financial commitment, training of frontline responders in psychological first aid, and expanded community support systems.
“To truly protect our people, governments must commit greater resources and accelerate the integration of mental health services into emergency frameworks,’’ he said.
According to the World Health Organisation, World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health.
It said the 2025 campaign focused on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies.
World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health.
This year’s campaign focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies.
According to WHO, crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, and public health emergencies cause emotional distress, with one in five individuals experiencing a mental health condition.
“Supporting the mental well-being of individuals during such crises is not just important – it saves lives, gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal and to recover and rebuild not only as individuals but as communities.
“That is why it is essential for everyone, including government officials, health and social care providers, school staff and community groups to come together.
“By working hand in hand, we can ensure the most vulnerable have access to the support they need while protecting the well-being of everyone.
“By investing in evidence and community-based interventions, we can address immediate mental health needs, foster long-term recovery, and empower people and communities to rebuild their lives and thrive.’’
The organisation emphasised the urgent need to support mental health during humanitarian emergencies
According to WHO, mental health is central to recovery: emotional care is as vital as physical needs during crises.
“Others are integration into humanitarian response: mental health support must be included in all emergency plans and investment builds resilience: supporting mental well-being can lead to long-term recovery and community resilience. “Also, leave no one behind: special attention is needed for vulnerable groups, including children and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions,’’ it said.
It said that 2025 theme highlighted the importance of mental health in addressing the psychological toll of crises, such as wars and natural disasters
Ultimately, the WHO posits that countries should intensify efforts to create a world where mental health is valued, protected, and accessible for all, especially in the face of adversity.(NAN)
