Mental health is priority in Gov Otu’s People’s First Policy -Ayuk
Ani Bassey
The Cross River State health commissioner Dr. Egbe Ayuk says the governor Bassey Otu administration prioritizes issues of mental health as it is a key component of the people’s first agenda.
Dr. Ayuk disclosed this at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre while flagging off the Health talk/screening for journalists in Cross River.
The event, organized by the Cross River State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ is part of activities to mark the ongoing Press Week.
Dr. Egbe Ayuk said “Mental health is a key component of health services in Cross River State under my People’s First Agenda.
“A unit for mental health has been created in the Health ministry, a focal person deployed there and we are improving on human resources to support mental health across the state”, he said.
Earlier, a mental health expert Dr. Egbeh Otu, said mental health issues abound in our environment and it’s causes are multifactorial.
He said housing, unemployment, economic difficulties among others contribute to mental health issues and that health education, research and an improved health system will help address the menace.
Archibong Bassey, the state chairman of the NUJ said the health talk is important because journalists do a lot of brain work.
She said the lecture will help keep media practitioners updated on the benefits of prioritizing their mental health as they carry out their tasks.
