By Sola Ogundipe<\/p>\n
Nigeria\u2019s response to the mental health challenges facing its young people comes under fresh scrutiny today as policymakers, psychiatrists, health professionals, security and correctional authorities, regulators, media and other stakeholders converge on Lagos for the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit holding at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.<\/p>\n
The summit, organised by Vanguard Media Limited, comes against growing concerns over depression, suicide, substance abuse, anxiety, trauma, social isolation and the mounting psychological pressures confronting young Nigerians online and offline.<\/p>\n
With the theme, \u201cAdvancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,\u201d and sub-theme, \u201cMental Health in a Digital Age: Navigating Social Media, Technology and Wellbeing,\u201d the gathering is expected to move the conversation beyond awareness and confront the more difficult issues of access to care, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and accountability.<\/p>\n
At the centre of the discussion is the question of what happens when a young Nigerian needs mental healthcare but cannot find, afford or access it. Beyond the expert presentations, the summit is expected to confront the gap between Nigeria\u2019s mental health policies and the experience of young people who actually need care.<\/p>\n
Chief Host of the summit is Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, while the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) are special guest of honour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The forum will be chaired by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and the Controller of Corrections, Lagos State Command, Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr. Daramola George are special guests.<\/p>\n
Other stakeholders that will feature are President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, Dr. Veronica Nyamali; Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, Professor of Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Prof. Mashudat Bello-Mojeed, Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health, as well as senior officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, mental health practitioners, academics, development partners, civil society organisations, youth representatives and educators.<\/p>\n
Nyamali will deliver the keynote address, while Sheikh will speak on \u201cMental Health as Our Social Capital.\u201d The President of the Nigerian Medical Association will speak on \u201cMaking Youth Mental Health Everyone\u2019s Business: From Policy to Practice,\u201d bringing the perspective of the nation\u2019s umbrella body for medical practitioners to discussions on how mental health policies can translate into practical support and services for young Nigerians.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0 major panel session, \u201cWho Takes Responsibility for Young People\u2019s Mental Health?\u201d, will examine the roles of government, families, schools, healthcare providers, communities, civil society and technology platforms in preventing young people from reaching crisis points.<\/p>\n
The summit will also examine substance abuse and its intersection with the justice system and other attendant effects. Technology\u2019s growing role in mental healthcare will also come under scrutiny, including the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in treating common mental health conditions among young people who do not respond adequately to conventional treatment.<\/p>\n
As the stakeholders gather, health commentators note that the question is no longer whether Nigeria has a youth mental health problem, rather, the question is whether its institutions are ready to take responsibility for tackling it. Their participation underscores how deeply mental health now cuts across substance abuse, public safety, the justice system, correctional services and drug regulation.<\/p>\n