Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), in partnership with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), on Thursday, advocated the need for mental health awareness and the promotion of laws to enhance mental health promotion, trauma healing and psychological first aid delivery in Lagos state.
The group made this advocacy call during a two-day training in Lagos State for Mental Health Ambassadors.

The training with the theme, “Building Community Leadership for Mental Health Promotion, Trauma Healing, and Psychological First Aid,” equipped the women ambassadors with the knowledge and practical skills required to serve as Mental Health Ambassadors within their communities.
Speaking at the event, the Centre Manager, Ireti Resource Centre/Programme Officer for the PWD Project, WHRAP, Precious Ndukwu, said the training became necessary to respond to the growing need for accessibility, community-based mental health support systems, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups.

Explaining mental health, Ndukwu said: “Good mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. There is a need for people to take care of their health, given the present economic, social, environmental, psychological factors among other stressors that impact people.”
She called for a sustained mental health awareness and community-based trauma education as pertinent to saving lives and fostering long-term societal wellbeing.

Ndukwu also called on the government at all levels to create more facilities to accommodate mental health patients and enhance awareness on the legal framework in the country.
WRAHP argues that curbing stigmatisation will improve early intervention and reduce the burden on families and the healthcare system.

The group urged Nigerians to “look out for each other” by checking on friends, listening without judgment, and referring people to professional support when needed.
The Executive Director, WRAHP, Bose Ironsi, said the training covered key areas such as understanding mental health and psychosocial well-being, addressing stigma and myths, and identifying common signs and symptoms of mental health conditions.

Earlier, a Public Health and Global Mental Health Professional, LagosMIND, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mental Health Desk, Mr Joshua Nnatus, called for stronger and more inclusive mental health awareness.
He explained that mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behaviour, which can cause distress and problems in daily life.

He said sustained mental health awareness and community-based trauma education remain critical to saving lives and fostering long-term societal wellbeing.
Nnatus said stigma could lead to delayed treatment, job loss, and social isolation, adding that the Lagos State Mental Health Law, the Lagos Mental Health Policy and the National Mental Health Act 2021 had given backing to patients with mental ill-health.

“Lifeline to report cases of mental illness to seek urgent intervention includes: 0700 000 6463 · SURPIN 0908 021 7555 · DSVA 0800 033 3333 · Emergency 112/767,” he said.