VGADA Seeks Stronger Support For Mental Health Patients
The Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA) Specialist Rehabilitation Centre has called for the inclusion of people with lived experiences of mental health challenges in policymaking and service delivery to improve access to care and tackle stigma.
Dr Hope Omeiza, Executive Director of VGADA, made the call during an awareness walk in Abuja on Saturday to commemorate the 2026 World Mental Health Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s global theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.
Omeiza said people who had experienced mental health challenges should be actively involved in developing policies, support services and interventions designed to address their needs.
He noted that their contributions could help stakeholders identify barriers to treatment, improve public understanding and develop more effective support systems.
The VGADA chief also warned that stigma, misinformation and fear of discrimination continued to discourage people experiencing psychological difficulties from speaking openly or seeking professional assistance.
“Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, influencing how individuals cope with stress, relate with others and manage everyday responsibilities.
“Stigma, misinformation and fear of discrimination can discourage people experiencing mental health difficulties from seeking professional help,” he said.
Omeiza called for a supportive environment where affected persons could share their experiences without fear of judgement and receive appropriate care.
He also highlighted the connection between mental health conditions and substance abuse, stressing the need for comprehensive prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
According to him, substance use disorders can occur alongside mental health conditions, while harmful drug use may worsen psychological symptoms and create additional health and social difficulties.
He said effective responses should include prevention, early identification, professional assessment, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.
Omeiza added that people recovering from substance use disorders or mental health conditions needed sustained support to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.
He further urged federal, state and local governments, health professionals, civil society organisations and community leaders to work together to promote mental well-being and reduce discrimination.
The VGADA executive director maintained that incorporating the experiences of affected persons into mental health campaigns could challenge stereotypes and help service providers better understand the difficulties people face in accessing care.
In his remarks, Mr Kenneth Anetor, Founder of A New Thing International, stressed the importance of community participation in promoting mental health awareness and supporting people experiencing psychological difficulties.
Anetor said the involvement of people with lived experiences could help organisations identify practical challenges and develop more responsive support systems.
Similarly, Dr Jurbe Simon, Secretary of the National Association of Clinical Psychologists, highlighted the importance of professional support, early identification and appropriate interventions in addressing mental health challenges.
Simon said clinical psychologists played a crucial role in assessing psychological difficulties and providing evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs.
He added that listening to people receiving care could help professionals understand treatment-related concerns and barriers to accessing mental health services.
Also speaking, Ms Salma Aminu, Mayor of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abuja chapter, emphasised the role of the creative industry in raising awareness and challenging harmful stereotypes about mental health.
Aminu said storytelling, film, theatre and other creative platforms could encourage open conversations and improve public understanding of the experiences of people facing psychological difficulties.
She urged content creators to portray mental health experiences responsibly and ensure that affected persons were treated with dignity rather than ridicule or discrimination.
NAN reports that the awareness walk brought together stakeholders from the rehabilitation, clinical psychology and creative sectors to promote mental health awareness and encourage collective action to address related challenges.
