A professor of psychiatric medicine, Monday Igwe, has advised Nigerians to stay positive amid naira and fuel scarcity to overcome depression and other mental complications.

Mr Igwe, the medical director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, gave the advice in Enugu on Wednesday.

“My advice to Nigerians is to cultivate features of positive mental well-being such as love, joy, forgiveness and positive appraisal of events. These attributes enhance well-being and protect against mental illness,” Mr Igwe noted. “They should also utilise positive coping mechanisms such as problem-solving approaches, seeking advice and ventilating when necessary. Making use of the social support available from families and friends also cushions the effect of stress.”

According to him, the mental well-being of individuals and communities is usually strained in periods of adversity.

He explained that hardships experienced by Nigerians might reduce socio-economic activities with a consequent rise in indices of social disadvantage such as poverty.

“Their cumulative effect on mental well-being is well established and may manifest in the immediate or the future. What we do know is that when people’s livelihoods are threatened, many may react with anxiety symptoms,” Mr Igwe added. “Others may adopt maladaptive coping mechanisms such as the use of drugs and other psychoactive substances to relieve their distress.”

He stressed that the worsening stressful experiences of Nigerians could make vulnerable individuals come down with mild mental health issues, which, if not given immediate and comprehensive psychiatric treatment, might lead to full-blown mental health issues. 

(NAN)