The Imo State Ministry of Health has commemorated the 2025 World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every 10th of October.
To mark the event, the Ministry on Thursday held a road walk, sharing flyers and sensitizing the people on mental health issues. They also did News Talk on radio to further educate Imo people about the issue.
Addressing newsmen on Friday at the Ministry’s complex at the State Secretariat, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Vivian Egu represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Kennedy Adinnu, noted in her address that the theme of the year’s celebration – “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” is very apt as some persons are in urgent need of mental health support due to certain things they have experienced; natural disaster, conflicts, among others.
She noted that offering such support to people in need of it, is not just an act of kindness, but an avenue of giving them the strength to heal from the issue and bounce back again stronger.
This is why, according to her, the Governor of the State has through the State Ministry of Health and in partnership with other professional bodies, NGOs, among others, made mental health a matter of priority.
“In his characteristic forward-thinking, problem solving style, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has approved the full incorporation of comprehensive mental health services into the Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, which is currently undergoing rapid transformation.
“Furthermore, His Excellency has directed that each local government area in Imo State should have a fully functional mental health facility operated by the state Ministry of Health. This visionary step ensures that no Imolite, no matter where they live, will be denied access to mental health services.
“His Excellency, as a man of vision, compassion, and commitment, has continued to redefine governance by putting the total well-being of Ndi Imo at the forefront of his administration”.
The Commissioner on behalf of the State Government appreciated all their partners, called on them, and other stakeholders to join them in continuously supporting the Governor in creating a healthier future where mental health services are available, accessible and acceptable to all.
Giving the opening remarks earlier was the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr. Uloma Ev-Paker welcomed the people for coming to mark the day with them.
Uloma reiterated the pertinence of the theme of the celebration,”Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”, saying that access to service is key if you want to succeed in the provision of mental health services.
She thanked God for all the collaborations that has been happening in that light, which is focused on access to service.
The ministry in partnership with SA on Narcotics went for an inspection drive recently to look at many psychiatric, and Rehabilitation centers to see whether they meet the standard of taking care of this special group of people that encounter such mental health challenge, as mental health is key to good living.
“Many persons are passing through some mental health challenges, and so should be handled with care, compassion, and be helped to access the facilities made available by the State Government, and other private bodies to tackle such issue, instead of being stigmatized,’Ev-Paker stated’.
She reiterated and commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for all he is doing to provide facilities where such person ma will be taking care of, and further urged for all hands to be on deck in ensuring that mental health is made an utmost priority.
Present in the meeting were – The Directors of the Ministry, Head of Psychiatric unit Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri and his team, MDs of Psychiatric Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers in the state, staff of the ministry, and other partners – Owerri Eye Care Professionals Lions Club International, 12 Step Addiction Rehabilitation Ltd, Youth Awake for Better Society
Discover more from NATIONAL BEAM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
