Lagos seeks proactive measures to tackle mental illness in over 50m Nigerians

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Internal Audit, Mrs. Olusola Oduguwa, who stated this at the opening of mental wellness workshop for internal auditors in Lagos, said with over 50 million Nigerians having mental issues, any government that wants its workforce to deliver quality services to the residents must promote mental wellness.

She tasked residents and civil servants on paying attention to their mental health, stating that their overall job performance is highly determined by the mental state.

Oduguwa stated that the administration desires a healthy workforce that can significantly contribute to the realisation of a 21st Century economy and ultimately achieve the greater Lagos dream.

Stating that early detection is key to living a healthy life, Oduguwa said the establishment of the Lagos State Wellness Centre emanated from the belief that the productivity of the workforce relies heavily on their state of mental wellbeing.

She urged civil servants to make conscious efforts to maintain mental sanity by avoiding distractions that limit incidence of living above their means and other social vices that would negatively affect mental health.

“The place of counselling in mental wellness is no doubt very unique. It is a therapy that cannot be substituted for anything. There is no magic wand or potent pill that can move someone along the continuum of mental health other than counselling,” she further said.

RELATEDLY, Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Central Internal Audit, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, said mental wellness not only ensures optimal performance, it also ensures quality lives, useful contributions to the family and community.