Chairman of the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA) in Benue State, Dr Iorlumun Shimakaa, has said that many Nigerians are not mentally stable.
He blamed poor socioeconomic circumstances for the spike in mental instability among Nigerians.
The NPA chairman said the development had become a source of worry for experts.
Shimakaa spoke at a two-day capacity building training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support organised by the NPA in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Service.
“We all agree that everybody in Benue state particularly and in Nigeria cannot boast of having a stable mental health because of the present challenges that have affected our mental health generally.”
“And we also agree that there cannot be good health without mental health. For that reason it has become imperative that we come together as partners to deepen our knowledge and improve the services we are delivering at our various platforms of intervention.
“So with this capacity building, we will not just come up with increased level of knowledge but we will also set up our level of intervention in the various places where we have been intervening. But most importantly for us in Benue state, the Nigeria Psychological Association has risen up to its responsibilities to take the lead as the lead advocator for mental health and for mental health issues in the state. For us we have assumed this role and responsibility with all seriousness,” Daily Trust quoted Shimakaa as saying.