Parents, government, youths critical to safeguarding mental health — Abdulrasak

The wife of Kwara State Governor, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrasak has identified parents, government and the youths, as the three key bodies that could help stem the high rates of psychiatric cases among Nigerians.

Mrs. AbdumlRasak, who visited Olorunda Trado Psychiatric Home, Ilorin, said though the causes of mental illnesses were not fully understood, a variety of biological, psychological and environmental factors had been identified to contribute to the development and progression of mental disorder.

”It is generally held that intake and abuse of hard drugs contribute immensely to the number of young persons found in rehabilitation homes. I charge parents and guardians to be vigilant and be conscious of what their children and wards involve themselves with, just as the government will continue to render its responsibility to the victims.”

She described her visit to the psychiatric healing centre as part of efforts of the present administration and her office at ensuring the treatment given conformed with the best practices. She said the development would ensure increased advocacy and awareness to stem the use of hard drugs and other depressive tendencies, habits that were strongly associated with mental illness.