On the 22nd November, 2022, the SI Group of Companies in commemoration of their Anniversary hosted a Mental health session on Zoom with the topic, ‘Mental Health and the Pandemic of Self-destructive behaviour in Nigeria-Proffering solutions’. This session was taken by Dr. Uche Okorocha, a Medical Doctor and Health Management Consultant.
Mr Machief, the Director of SI Group Of Companies gave an introduction to mental health giving real-life examples and questioning the mental health state of some of these individuals.
Dr. Uche Okorocha, the facilitator of the lecture kicked off the session. Congratulating SI Magazine on her anniversary, he stated “it is not easy to look inwards and even search inwards into our society and publish these stories over the years and congratulated SI Magazine for being 10 years strong”
He ascertained the following:
- Mental Illness is not madness(it signifies an unwell mind or suffering).
*Mental illness remains hidden due to people failing to realize ‘it is okay not to be okay’ everyone’s mind works differently - Individuals must first learn to take care of the state mental health as much as for their physical health
- Stigmatization is also a major problem as it is a common notion that the human mind should be nothing short of sound, which is not always true for everyone.
- One-third of Nigerians have been diagnosed of mental illnesses.
- About 7 million Nigerians live with depression.
- Depression not managed can lead to suicide which is evidenced by the prevalence of suicide is the Nigeria society today which was not so in the past
- Risk Factors of mental illness include; Genetic predisposition, Victim of abuse(sexual, domestic, violence), Drug abuse( the most common risk factor).
- Signs and Symptoms may include; Low self esteem, constant low moods, withdrawal from friends and family, isolation, reckless behaviors, agitation ( which have been constant), feeling a deeper form of anger, you just want to hurt people and make them feel bad.
He also shared on tips on curtailing mental illness such as self-validation, getting sufficient rest, volunteerism, communication, and medication if there is a need for it.
He urged the participants to look out for each other as this is the only way the world will become a better place.
