The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has advocated for the establishment of grief counselling supports across schools in Nigeria.
Prof. Taiwo Obindo, the National President of APN, made this recommendation during a news conference at the end of the 55th Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Ilorin on Sunday.
Obindo, who emphasied the need for readily available grief counselling support in schools, highlighted the significant impact of grief on students’ well-being.
He explained that grief counselling was essential for helping children deal with adversity and develop social and emotional skills.
The APN president also stressed the importance of early intervention and support, citing the significant impact of childhood trauma on psychological distress and self-esteem in adolescents.
He called for enhanced mental health services, including experiential mental health training and workshops for medical students.
Furthermore, Obindo emphasised the need for government at all levels to prioritise increasing funds for mental health services and create mental health desks to facilitate the implementation of the Mental Health Act.
He said that the high mental health gap, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities, could be bridged by integrating mental health services into primary healthcare settings.
Obindo also highlighted the persistence of stigma toward mental illness, which created barriers to help-seeking and effective treatment.
He insisted that the stigma attached to mental health must be curbed through public education campaigns to reduce stigma and raise awareness about mental health.(NAN)
