Mental Health: Obasa advocates collective responsibility, collaboration with lawmakers

Following the prevalence of mental health issues across Nigeria, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa has advocated inter-sectoral collaboration with the assembly and collective responsibility by agencies, individuals, and institutions.

Speaking in his capacity as Chairman at the Seventh Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), held in Lagos, Obasa described the theme, Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic Development, as timely and globally relevant.

He opined, “We live in times where the mental health of individuals is increasingly becoming a matter of public concern because globally, there is a rising incidence of mental health disorders, and unfortunately, Nigeria is not exempted.”

The Speaker reckoned that mental health is crucial to personal and community development because, “It is the bedrock upon which personal growth and achievements are built. For our nation to thrive, we need citizens who are mentally sound and can contribute meaningfully to national development. Socio-economic development is intertwined with mental health. A nation with a high burden of mental health disorders will undoubtedly suffer a decline in productivity, a decrease in the quality of life, and a strain on health resources.”

Obasa said that a community with a high prevalence of mental health disorders is not only destabilised but also lacks progress, adding “It is important that we take collective responsibility to ensure that our communities are mentally healthy. As a nation, we must pay keen attention to mental health and integrate it into our public health policies.”

He said the issue of mental health prompted the enactment of the Lagos State Mental Health Service Law of 2018 during his first term as Speaker, adding ” The law provides for the protection and care of individuals with mental health conditions and substance abuse”.

However, Obasa noted that professional bodies like the PSN are not collaborating enough with lawmakers to drive change.

“We must advocate for policies that promote mental health care, combat stigma, and support initiatives to enhance mental well-being. Together, we can ensure that mental health is recognized as a basic human right essential to personal, community, and socio-economic development,” he concluded.

The Special Guest of Honour and Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), linked the rise in mental health issues to fake drugs and substance abuse, describing mental health as a neglected aspect of public health.