CCHD boss advocates support for mental rehabilitation centres

Executive Director, Centre for Corrections and Human Development (CCHD), Obioma Agoziem has called on private and public firms to support mental rehabilitation centres and establishment of new ones in all local governments in Lagos State.

Agoziem made the call at an event tagged Speak out; say no to drug addiction, depression and suicide held in Victoria Island.
  
The director who stressed that the centre focuses on youths with mental health challenges, which includes emotional, psychological and social wellbeing, however, stated that the major challenge of the organisation is lack of rehabilitation centres in the country.

“Mental illnesses cannot be seen unless you are skilled to recognise the symptoms. A lot of times, people experiencing it are not even aware they are going through medical issues that can be treated,” she observed.

Japanese business mogul and representative of ESG, Suzuki Yuichi, said Japan had similar issues but they realised that people had to change the way they think and apply their thoughts to issues.
  
Founder, Emotions City, Oyinkansola Alabi, explained that there are three stages before suicide; the first, cluelessness or a level of unconscious incompetence, followed by hopelessness and helplessness, and finally depression, which in its chronic stage can lead to suicide.

“If Nigeria will move forward we need to be deliberate with healthcare and mental health should be taught in elementary school just like any other subject, “she added.