A/Ibom Government Urged to Intervene on Rising Mental Health Cases
Uko Etim, Uyo
A concerned group in Akwa Ibom State, the Ononokpono Olu Family, has called on the government at all levels to address the rising cases of mental health disorders in the state,
In a communiqué issued after their biennial homecoming and family reunion held on Monday at Nung-Odobo, Okobo LGA, Akwa Ibom, the group cited alarming increases in depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
The communique was jointly signed by Comrade Victor Ononokpono, Chairman of the Communique Committee, Offiong Deborah Ononokpono, Secretary of the Communique Committee, and Rev Eskor Ononokpono, Mr. Iniobong Ononokpono, Nkere Joe Ononokpono, Rev. Emmanuel Joe Ononokpono as a members.
The communique describes the current national budget allocation of less than 2% for mental health treatment and prevention as “grossly inadequate.”
The communique noted that increasing stress levels, economic hardship, and social pressures are contributing factors to the surge in mental health disorders. It also emphasised the need for increased investments in prevention and treatment and cost-effective interventions.
The communique reads in parts, “That mental disorders and other non-communicable diseases- mainly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illness- claim many lives prematurely, cause massive ill health and compromise human and economic development.
“That there is an urgent need for increased investments by Governments at all levels for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders, including those meaning from drug and alcohol abuse.
“The current national budget of less than 2 percent of the health budget to the treatment and prevention of mental disorders is grossly inadequate.
“There is a need for Government at all levels to provide cost-effective, affordable and feasible interventions including the development of strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors within the society.”
The communiqué also highlighted the importance of addressing environmental health outcomes, such as air pollution, and called for collaboration between government, foundations, and NGOs to eradicate poverty and illiteracy.
