Mental health central to development, say experts

For Nigeria to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mental health should be given priority by the leaders.

This was the position of many university lecturers who spoke at the 18th edition of the late Dr. Victor Awosika Memorial Symposium organized by the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association, Ibadan.

At the event titled: “For the Sake of my Sanity,” the Head of Department of  Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun, stressed the need for Nigeria’s leaders to enjoy mental health, which he said was central to development.

The consultant in child and adolescents psychiatry maintained that “there is no health without mental health” which she defined as optimal psychological functioning. According to her, many of the SDGs are directly related to mental health.

“Mental health is central to development. Our leaders must enjoy good mental health, so that they can think in a way that will bring in development.”

Prof. Oyewusi Gureje, who noted that mental health promotes productivity, social cohesion as well as security, said people with mental disorder were less likely to be productive.

According to him, the most common problems among students are anxiety and disorder which prevent them from finishing well.