About 2.5 million residents of Lagos state, representing 14 per cent of its total population, suffer from one form of mental illness or the other, Dr. Jide Idris, the State Commissioner for Health, said here Monday.
Addressing a press conference to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day, Idris listed the illnesses to include depression, epilepsy, dementia, alcohol dependence and disability.
He explained that such mental illnesses “may not necessarily be psychosis but untreated minor mental illnesses which affects the quality of life.
‘No matter how seemingly the effects of such illnesses are, they can be managed effectively to ensure that the affected individuals lead a reasonably normal life,’ he said.
Idris also said that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 150 million people are affected by alcohol use disorders; 40 million from depression; and another 40 million from Alzheimer’s disease.
‘One million people commit suicide,’ he said, citing the WHO, and added that “Mental, neurological and substance abuse account for 14 per cent of the global burden of diseases according to recent studies.’
Idris then called for the active participation of private sector stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, religious groups, user groups and philanthropic organizations to create a strong network of aftercare operations and facilities such as Halfway houses and assisted employment programmes
The Commissioner said that Lagos State had adopted a carefully thought out policy on mental health, aimed at reducing the impact of mental health disorders on the citizenry.
This is based on the national philosophy of social justice and equity, and investing in it to ensure that the rights of people with disorders are respected, the Commissioner said.
He declared: “The state government has recognized the significance of mental health and has decided to address these issues by investing in mental health and ensuring that the rights of people with these disorders are respected.
“We also hope to conduct awareness programmes and educate people on the effects of substance and alcohol abuse.’
The new policy will include: ‘Mental Health Promotion; Primary Care and Access to Services and Treatment Guidelines at Primary Healthcare Level.’
Others are Services for People with Severe Mental Illness; Reduction of Work Place Stress and the Risk of Suicide; and Human Resources for Mental Health, he added.
He said that the state government was committed towards investing in mental health just as he reiterated government’s objective to provide qualitative mental healthcare to the people.