As part of efforts to ensure a mentally stable Population and responsible citizens, A Civil Society Organisation, Afrodition Consults Limited (ACL) has taken steps to address practices that are against the well-being of people especially in Nigeria the most populous black nation in the world.
Emphasizing the importance of mental health during a programme tagged, ‘The effect of Ethnic and religious bias on mental health in Nigeria’ recently organised by the group, The founder of ACL Ahmed Bolaji said the initiative was to bridge the gap of taboos and stigmatization against some persons in the society.
He explained that there is no health without mental health.
In his words, “we understand the role our cultural and religious upbringing could play in our
mental and emotional well-being and our daily living.
“This is why we put together this conference in association with Woddi to discuss, taboos and stigmas of the effect of ethnic and religious bias on mental health in Nigeria”
Ahmed Bolaji hinted that more plans are underway to work out effective solution and action plan to effectively bring solutions to communities.
The group said its solutions include early help and support for substance misuse induced mental health, perinatal mental health, dedicated dementia support service and dedicated autism
support service.
Others are children and adolescent mental health, workplace stress and continuity of care (aftercare services) to those that have received clinical intervention.
However, Mrs Chinwendu Eteyen Amba – Special Assistant/Focal Person to the Minister of State for the FCT on Social Investment Programme (SIP) who represented the Minister of State for FCT commended the initiative.
There were other key presentations from the president of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, with Chairman Senate Committee on Health
and Chairman House Committee on Health Care Services.