Stakeholders have called for concerted efforts at national and sub-national levels as well as by the private sector and civil society organisations to embark on deliberate policies that will address the mental health of Nigerians caused by the trauma they face every day.
According to the stakeholders, the trauma caused by socio-economic, political, and other challenges was responsible for the pervasive despondency whereby citizens are being seen to have lost confidence and hope in the country.
The stakeholders, at a Conference on National Rehabilitation and Reformation, themed Psychosocial and Mental Health Intervention in Focus, held in Abuja on Saturday noted that the widespread despondency is the resultant mass migration, intractable insecurity, and increasing criminality the country has been experiencing over time.
The conference organised by Chosen Vessels Global Outreach attracted the Office of the Chief of the Air Staff (CNS); Bureau for Public Service Reform (BPSR); the National Orientation Agency (NOA); the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS); the Nigeria Police Force (NPF); and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) among others.
The Director General (DG) of BPSR, Arabi Dasuki, in his keynote address noted that national rehabilitation and reformation hold the key to rebuilding lives, communities, and entire nations, saying, “These are not merely slogans; they represent our commitment to improving the lives of individuals who have faced adversity and challenges, and the broader goal of revitalizing our society, the process of helping individuals, often those who have encountered personal crises or have been involved in the criminal justice system, to rebuild their lives, rehabilitation focuses on providing them with the support, resources, and guidance necessary to reintegrate into society and become productive, law-abiding citizens.
“Accordingly, National Rehabilitation and Reformation is very crucial because it represents a fundamental shift in how we view individuals who have endured hardships.
“Rather than perpetuating cycles of punishment,
rehabilitation offers a pathway to redemption and the opportunity for personal growth.
“It is imperative to realize that national rehabilitation and reformation also hold economic benefits. Investing in rehabilitation programs will lead the nation to reduce the burden on our criminal justice system and social services. In the long run, this can lead to cost savings and a more prosperous nation.
“Similarly, National transformation and rehabilitation also serve as a process that society must undergo because It forces the nation to examine and address structural problems Like poverty, prejudice, and inequality that exacerbate the difficulties people experience. By changing these processes, we can create a society where everyone has the chance to prosper”.
The Convener of the summit, Chinyere Nwoye, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Chosen Vessels Global Outreach, the organizers of the conference, said the time has come for the government, the private sector, and civil society organizations to invest in national reformation and rehabilitation for the future of Nigeria.
She said: “By focusing on the emotional and psychological well-being of our people, we can ignite a resurgence of hope, unity, and resilience that will help us reclaim the very soul of our nation, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for all.
“Everyone has a role to play, from the individual, we move to the home, the family, and the community. Our families are the building blocks of society, and they play a pivotal role in shaping our values and attitudes, including our mental health.
Read Also: Look after your mental health, WHO, UNIC tell journalists
“As we embark on the journey towards a rehabilitated and reformed Nigeria, let us remember that the strength of our nation rests upon the resilience of its people, and nurturing our mental well-being is paramount.
“By addressing our mental health, we not only heal ourselves but also lay the foundation for a brighter future, not just for us, but for generations to come”.
In his lecture for the day, Martins Obono noted that for various reasons, Nigerians are traumatized at one point or another, however, emphasized that it is high time Nigerians take every word of the National pledge being said every day to heart because it is a sincere systemic response to retraumatization by the founders of the nation.
Former ace broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar were honored with the Face of Hope (Patriotism) and (National Security) awards respectively among others for their roles and contributions to Nigerian nation-building.