On Friday, October 22, 2021, the AUN Community received an invaluable talk concerning Mental Illness and Mental Health. The speaker, Dr. Paul Dogara, Director of the AUN Health Center, stressed the importance of mental health and self-care, stating, "when you take care of your mental health every other aspect of your being is better."
Dr. Paul was not the only speaker; the school psychologist and host of the event, Mr. Babalola Josiah Olajubu, said that "it is okay not to be okay," since recognizing a problem is a first step to getting help. Another speaker, Ms. Shalom Otuene of the Student Affairs Department, added that "Nigeria is a stressful place to live in, especially when you're in Lagos." She advised people to be conscious of their environment and lifestyle.
October is Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month, and though the issues surrounding mental illness are gaining much more traction, millions of people worldwide still suffer from mental illness. According to the World Health Organization, one in four Nigerians – some 50 million people – has a mental illness. Despite the magnitude of cases, the country is still nowhere near equipped to tackle the problem.
There are only eight federal neuropsychiatric hospitals in all of Nigeria, according to Aljazeera reports.
All Speakers emphasized the value of getting help when people notice the first signs of mental stress, which may lead to mental illness. "Help is available, and you should never feel ashamed of asking for help," said final year Multimedia Design major Ms. Ufa Dania, as she shared her own experience with depression.
Mental health is just as important as your physical health. Therefore, cherish it and make sure you stay healthy.
Reported by Zulqarnain Mahmood