One person commits suicide every 40 seconds globally – Expert

The Director, Federal Neuropsychiatrist Hospital, Enugu, Prof. Monday Igwe, has revealed that one person commits suicide every 40 seconds around the world due to mental health challenges.

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He noted that factors that contribute to the burden of mental illness are still thriving in society.

Prof. Igwe made this known while delivering a keynote address during a one-day seminar organised for media practitioners in Abia State, by the Amaudo Integrated Community Mental Health Foundation, Itumbuzor, Abia State.

The programme is meant to raise awareness about the mental health of Nigerians and also to draw the attention of governments at all levels to the challenges of people living with mental illness.

Represented by Dr. Okwudili Obayi, he cautioned the media against using derogatory language against people with mental problems, stressing that the new Mental Health Act, signed by the former President Major General Muhamadu Buhari (retd), changed the perceptions on mental health challenges and how they are handled in the country.

He also decried the fact that factors driving mental illness in the country like Tobacco abuse, stress, alcoholism, cocaine, tramadol and caffeine abuse, among others are yet to be addressed, adding that it is no news that mental illness is on the rise in the country.

Speaking, the Director of the foundation, Very Reverend Kenneth Nwaubani, bemoaned the attitude of Nigerians to persons with mental challenges, noting that it was rather unfortunate that people with mental disorders are discriminated against, extorted, exploited and sexually abused.

The director said journalists are meant to help in driving the crusade for a better place for people with mental problems through fair and balanced reportage.

Speaking about the foundation, he said the facility was transformed from Amaudo Itumbuzor Centre for Mentally Ill Persons to an integrated community mental health foundation, where student nurses from different states come for academic learning.

The centre, he disclosed, has 64 residents presently receiving rehabilitation and care and appealed for more funding from the Abia State government, corporate organisations and kind-hearted Nigerians.

“Apart from this, thousands of mentally ill persons have been rehabilitated, empowered and integrated back into society by the foundation since its inception,” he added.

Wumi/Punch