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By correspondent in Ilorin.
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has urged the establishment of grief counselling support services in schools, nationwide ,to promote the psychological well-being of students.
Prof. Taiwo Obindo, APN’s National President, made this appeal on Sunday during a news conference marking the conclusion of the association’s 55th Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Ilorin.
He noted that lack of structured grief counselling in schools, has left many students vulnerable to the adverse effects of trauma and loss.
“Grief counselling in schools is crucial for helping children cope with adversity and develop essential social and emotional skills,” Obindo emphasized.
He explained that childhood trauma can significantly impact mental health, often leading to psychological distress and low self-esteem in adolescents.
Obindo stressed the urgency of intervention to prevent conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
“The high prevalence of mental health conditions underscores the need for enhanced mental health services.
“Governments at all levels, with international support, should establish robust systems for early detection and intervention in both mental and physical health,” he further urged.
Obindo also called for experiential mental health training for medical students, particularly early in their education, and urged the government to increase funding for mental health services.
He advocated for the establishment of mental health desks to implement the Mental Health Act and emphasized integrating mental health services into primary healthcare as outlined in the 2023 Mental Health Policy.
Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in rural areas, Obindo noted that it hinders people from seeking help.
“Public education campaigns are essential to reduce discrimination and raise awareness about mental health,” he said.
He called on stakeholders to collaborate in improving access to mental health resources and training, particularly in underserved communities.
According to Chat GPT,an AI model language,health experts,Grief counselling support services are professional services designed to help individuals, particularly those who have experienced loss or trauma, cope with the emotional, psychological, and social effects of grief.
These services aim to provide a safe space for people to express their feelings, process their emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
In the context of schools, grief counselling support services help students deal with the loss of loved ones, friends, or other significant events, such as community tragedies. They often include individual counselling, group therapy, and educational programs to teach resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills. The goal is to promote mental well-being and prevent long-term psychological issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma-related disorders.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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