May 18-24, 2020 has been mapped out all over the world to create awareness on Mental health, in view of this the Imo State first Lady Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Hope Uzodinma has lend her voice on important of health.
Lending her voice she said;
\”Since 1949, the mental health month has always been utilized to create awareness about mental health and the hazards of mental illnesses in the society and the world as a whole. This year, from the 18th-24th of May 2020 will be set aside to mark the Mental Health week all over the globe.
The Mental Health awareness is geared towards creating awareness on various mental health issues and how to mitigate them. In Nigeria, people often assume that mental illness deals with only those with acute mental health conditions, i.e. those either roaming the streets unkempt or chained at a psychiatric centre.
Mental Health refers to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of a person. In recent years, Nigeria has been witnessing a surge in suicide by young people primarily due to anxiety or emotional instability bred by depression. Today, everyone is busy fighting to accomplish one goal or the other and we hardly have time for ourselves. We heap lots of stress on our brain and fall into depression or some other psychological state.
With the Covid-19 pandemic we expect a high level of emotional stress, which in turn affects our mental health . Many are going to lose their jobs. Some will lose loved ones, others will be affected by hunger. This will all have a negative effect on our mental health. We are aware that the lack of social support, purported by the mandatory social distancing have kept friends physically apart, which can be strenuous on anyone.
Fortunately, we can learn from the theme of this year’s awareness; “KINDNESS”. This period, we must extend kindness to everyone around us. You should try as much as possible to check up on your friends, do video calls or send text messages as often as you can. Extend kindness to those who are in need around you. Support people around you. The nature of the support might be emotional, social or financial. Share happiness.
Most importantly, there’s always time to achieve your goals.
Ndi Imo, ours is a promise to entrench a government of Shared Prosperity for all our people. This is my commitment to you.
Our priority must be safe practices to stay alive, and together we can beat the mental stress brought about by the current state of the world.