The Lagos State commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, has decried the poor attitude of the public toward their mental health, calling on Nigerians to prioritise their mental health.

Represented by Joshua Natus, coordinator of operation, Lagos Mind, ministry of health, Mr Abayomi made the call at a lecture organised by the Lions International Multiple District 404, Nigeria.

The lecture was in commemoration of the 2025 World Mental Health Day (WMHD) on Friday in Lagos.

The WMHD is celebrated annually on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts to support those affected.

He said it was imperative for citizens to be in a good mental health state in order to be productive and function effectively, saying that poor mental health affects not only productivity but also the overall well-being.

He advised that people should learn to care for their mental health by accessing mental healthcare services and helplines, as well as engaging with therapists, psychiatrists and counsellors for their mental health needs.

According to him, the state has provided some helpline platforms like the Lagos Lifeline and Lagosmind.org that people with mental health issues can access to get help, counselling and referral services.

He explained that the helplines 02014106463, 07000006463 and the WhatsApp line 09090006463 were 24-hour tele-behavioural mental health helplines that provided counselling and referral services to people who have mental health issues.

“Our ability to manage and process the events of our everyday lives is significantly influenced by our mental health.

“So, individuals need to be mindful of their mental well-being, listen to their bodies and minds, and seek help whenever they feel overwhelmed or notice changes in their mental well-being.

“The Lagos helplines are readily available to provide help services on how to manage depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse and substance abuse disorder,” Mr Abayomi said.

Speaking, the national president of the Association of Trauma Healing Facilitators (ASTHEF), Samuel Pender, canvassed the need for society to create a safe space and non-judgmental environment for people with mental health issues to thrive.

Mr Pender said that people with mental health challenges should be given care, love and support, rather than condemnation and derogatory remarks.

According to him, past trauma can affect one’s mental health condition, saying that a safe and supportive environment will encourage them to seek help and thereby overcome the condition.

“Trauma is inevitable; it is not the fault of anyone to be traumatised. We need  to stop judging but connect emotionally with them.

“We should learn how to show care to them because that will put them in a better position to seek. Unfortunately, in today’s society, many people want to correct instead of connecting with them.

“Using derogatory words like ‘What is wrong with you?’ rather than ‘What is happening to you?’ –  that will give them that conviction that one feels for them and wants to help,” Mr Pender said.

Earlier, the chairman of Mental and Wellness, Multiple District Lion Club, Christine Adebajo, advised that people should learn to adopt positive coping mechanisms when faced with life challenges.

Ms Adebajo decried that the country was filled with a lot of challenges: economic downturns and hardships, which had made some people consider suicide, resort to drug abuse, or engage in immoral behaviours.

According to her, Nigerians should learn to take life easy and develop positive coping/adaptive mechanisms rather than considering negative thoughts like committing suicide when faced with challenges.

She called for mental health education to make people understand that life generally comes with challenges, saying that life could be good/sweet at one time and bad at other times.

“Since life is never free of challenges, so long as there is life, there must be challenges. Therefore, there’s no amount of challenges that will be worth anyone taking away his/her life or even abusing substances.

“There is a need to change the mindset of Nigerians toward life, making them understand that life itself is full of challenges and the challenges are what will make way for the success stories.

“Constantly surrounding yourself with positive people, sharing worries, speaking out and seeking help are options that can help in times of challenges,” she said.

(NAN)