WMHD: WHO, UNICEF, 9mobile call for prioritisation of mental health

[By VICTOR NZE]

Telecommunications operator in the country, 9mobile, has advocated the prioritization of mental health in the world, a call also shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as the global community marked World Mental Health Day (WMHD), last Tuesday.

The telco also said there was need boost efforts towards creating awareness and sensitizing the public on the issues and importance of mental health and well-being in the country.

The year’s world mental health day is themed: ‘Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority.’

According to 9mobile, the position is in line with one of its CSR pillars of ‘Health’ which gave birth to its quarterly health talk series in 2021, virtual health talk series commenced during the Covid-19 pandemic to drive conversations around mental health issues to inspire action and promote well-being.

Speaking on the relevance of 2022 WMHD theme, Executive Director of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, Abdulrahman Ado, said: “This year’s theme underscores the importance of mental health and well-being to everyone and why it should be given utmost priority. It is a critical issue that needs adequate attention, and we at 9mobile will continue to drive the conversation around it to sensitize people and, more importantly, promote a healthier and safer society for all.”

Continuing, Ado said: “It is important to state that since we started the virtual health talk series in 2021, we have held five consecutive series with tremendous impacts. The topics discussed during previous editions include; ‘Covid-19 and the new normal: Staying mentally healthy in the face of the challenges; ‘Responding to the rising challenge of Hypertension in a pandemic-depressed world’; ‘Managing Stress to Increase Productivity’ ‘Mental health; the myth, the challenge & recovery’ and ‘Loneliness and Mental Health.’ With seasoned mental health advocates and medical practitioners as facilitators; Executive Director at She Writes Woman Hauwa Ojeifo; certified medical professionals Dr. Egemba Chinonso popularly known as Aproko Doctor; Dr. Juliet Offiah, known as Dr Julz and Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, known as the ‘Celebrity Shrink’ led discussions at different editions to dissect the issues on mental health challenges and solutions.”

The conversation around the importance of mental health and well-being is never-ending, and 9mobile will continue to raise awareness and educate the public through advocacy about the significance of maintaining general well-being and increasing productivity.

The commemoration of ‘World Mental Health Day every October provides another unique opportunity for individuals, corporate organizations, and governments worldwide to sustain the current advocacy and develop newer ways to tackle mental health challenges.

It would be recalled that on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day, UNICEF and WHO jointly called for an end to historic under-investment in mental health services in Africa where the COVID-19 pandemic has helped shine a light on the gaps that exist in mental health care.

According both bodies, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as Africa has one of the highest number of children and adolescents globally.

“Up to 60 per cent of the population in Africa are below 24 years of age. The last 12 months have seen families and communities under growing strain under the impact of climate shocks, global inflation and economic hardship. Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing extreme droughts, while in the Sahel area, armed groups have stepped up exactions on communities, leading to massive displacement.

“The psychological distress in which hundreds of thousands of children and parents live across the continent has a dramatic impact on individuals and by extension on the well-being and development of societies,” said Mohamed M. Fall, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. 

Continuing, Fall said: “The impact of violence or humanitarian crises is not limited to economic impacts: the invisible wounds suffered by communities must also be at the heart of our interventions. Children and their parents demonstrate immeasurable resilience, and we must draw on their experiences to guide our strategies.”

According to WHO, the serious gaps that exist in mental health care in the region are a result of historic under investment in mental health promotion, prevention and care. Only 29% of countries in the Region have Child and Adolescent mental health policies; there are only 0.2 child and adolescent mental health workers per 100,000 population, compared to 1.6 per 100,000 population for the adult services.

“Far too many people who need help for mental health conditions do not receive it, yet mental health is integral to wholesome health and well-being,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, adding: “The greatest challenge to adequate mental health service provision in Africa is the chronically low investments by governments.  It’s time for a radical change.”

In 2020, UNICEF and WHO agreed a ten-year partnership on mental health, which seeks to address some of the main challenges to mental health and limitations in access to support. Already joint initiatives are underway in Nigeria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, with both agencies working with governments to scale up mental health and psychosocial support services across sectors.

“There is growing awareness and demand for more holistic and community-based approaches in all aspects of mental health care and psychosocial support (MHPSS), that address attitudes and behaviours in families and communities,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, adding: “We are particularly mindful of the mental health risks faced by adolescent girls, who report alarming levels of sexual violence. Research shows that mental health issues in childhood lead to an increased risk of drug or alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, psychological trauma or self-harm.”

Responses to mental health need to encompass support beyond the area of specialised mental health services, to include child and family services, education, protection, violence prevention, community support, housing and social protection.