As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate World Mental Health Day, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Ash Montana Deck, has urged on the Federal Government to strengthen access to mental health care and address the growing crisis affecting millions of citizens.
The advocacy event, held under the theme "Access to Services; Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies," was organised in collaboration with Atlantis, Americana 1 and Longhorn Decks.
It convened key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministries of Women Affairs and Culture and Tourism, the Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), as well as members of the Ajowa community.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Emmanuel Abayomi, a psychiatrist from the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, revealed that an estimated 60 million Nigerians, approximately one in every five, are grappling with mental health challenges.
Abayomi stressed that mental well-being is a universal concern, not limited to those with diagnosed disorders such as depression or anxiety.
"If we have a brain, we have mental health," he said, urging Nigerians to embrace healthy habits including adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, exercise, hydration and social connection, particularly in the face of mounting economic pressures.
He further encouraged open conversations about mental health, revealing that early intervention can make most conditions treatable.
Capoon of the Ash Montana Deck, Mr Ganiyu Omitogun, said the programme was organised to draw attention to the silent crisis unfolding across the country.
Omitogun insisted that mental health should be treated as a national priority, particularly during periods of conflict, disasters or public health emergencies.
"Mental health must be integrated into our everyday lives, not only discussed during emergencies. Our collective well-being relies on consistent access to care," he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olajumoke Adewusi identified rape and sexual abuse as major drivers of psychological trauma among women and girls.
Adewusi lamented the lasting damage inflicted when such violations occur within the family.
"When a girl is raped, especially by a father or stepfather, the psychological impact can be lifelong. Even women who hear such stories are affected," she said.
Participants closed the event with renewed calls for policy reform, multi-sectoral collaboration and community-based support systems aimed at reducing stigma, expanding services, and promoting a culture of empathy across Nigerian society.
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