As part of efforts aimed at giving back to the community, a non-governmental organisation, Oni Na Foundation, has reiterated its commitment to tackle diabetes and mental health issues through empowering, awareness, prevention and management.
In a chat with journalists in Lagos, its Founder, Israel Godson Onoriode, revealed that the foundation was established out of compassion of seeing a mother and her entire family going through the challenges of these conditions.
Onoriode, who is also a performing artiste based in the United Kingdom stated that the “foundation is in memory of the late Mrs. Janet Diatacheko Onoriode Uge.”
According to him, the woman and her family suffered the traumatic experiences of diabetes and mental health, leading to the death of three of her children, including herb step-daughter.
He said: “We offer a range of programmes, including, individual and group therapy for managing stress, anxiety, and depression, diabetes education and self-management workshops, nutritional counselling tailored to both diabetes and mental health needs and support groups for individuals living with either or both conditions.”
Other programmes include public education and awareness campaigns; prevention: providing accessible education and resources to empower individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and reduce their risk of developing diabetes; offering support and guidance for individuals already diagnosed, including disease management tools, access to healthcare resources, and self-care workshops and championing policies that improve access to affordable care, medication, and essential resources for diabetes management.
He further observed millions of people worldwide live with diabetes, a chronic condition that significantly impacts both physical and mental health.
He noted, “Studies show a strong correlation between diabetes and mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Against popular believes that traditional healthcare systems often lack integrity, leaving individuals struggling to manage both conditions effectively, we think that it would be worth researching and perfecting, even as we believe the West is always using these methods to perfect their remedies and drugs.”
Saying Oni na” in Urhobo means “The Mother,” he further called on individuals, healthcare professionals, community organisations, and concerned citizens to partner with the foundation..
